The Kai Kings are champions of the South Otago 40-over competition for the second year running.
The Kings beat the Waihola Swans by 35 runs on Saturday in a low-scoring match in Milton.
The Kings elected to bat first and struggled early. The Swans’ opening bowling partnership of Greg Webber and Jamie Morton kept the Kings batsmen quiet. Morton and Swans captain Dylan Bungard combined well together to have Kai in trouble at 43 for four just after drinks.
Kings skipper Mark Shepherd scored some extremely useful runs through the middle period.
Shepherd rode his luck as he was dropped five times by the Swans at various stages of his innings. He hit two fours and four sixes in his knock of 46.
Tailenders Jesse Maher and Ethan Gilder put on a 27-run partnership.
Maher finished unbeaten on 19, an important contribution, as the Kings were rolled for 118 in the 38th over.
Brad Williams was the pick of the Swans bowlers with four for 24.
The Swans started poorly also, losing an opener inside three overs.
The opening bowling combination of Jason Young and Kobe Thomson was relentless as they tore through the Swans top and middle order with relative ease.
They each bowled eight on the trot and took three wickets, to have Waihola reeling at 37 for the loss of six wickets.
Ryan Clark and Kellan Crowie started a genuine fightback from the home side.
But a calamitous run out ended Clark’s innings prematurely, closely followed by Crowie, who was stumped off a wide delivery.
The final two Swans batsmen could only muster two runs between them as the home side was bowled out for 83 in the 29th over . Only three batsmen from the Swans made double figures.
Young (three for 17), Thomson (three for 24) and Mark Shepherd (three for seven) were on fire for the Kings.
- Francis Parker
