Two teams remain unbeaten after three rounds of the South Otago T20 competition.
Round three was played in extremely inclement weather and it was a wonder three games actually took place.
The Kaitangata Kings beat the Clutha Comets by seven wickets at the Cosmic Bullring in Balclutha.
Clutha were asked to bat and posted 147 for three from their 20 overs.
Clutha’s batters were explosive, none more so than Macleod Glaister, who struck 71 runs including five fours and five sixes.
Opener Kelan Smith (22) and middle-order batter Michael White (27 not out) also found the boundary with ease, as three of Kai’s bowlers took a wicket each.
In reply, Kai timed their innings to perfection with the winning runs hit in the final over for the loss of just four wickets.
Opener Orry Young continued his strong form with another unbeaten half-century, while Michael White led the Clutha bowlers with two for 21 off three overs.
The Owaka Bandits beat the Valley Stingers by six wickets at the Outlaw Oval in Owaka.
Valley were asked to bat and could only record 74 all out in the 16th over.
The innings started in the worst possible fashion with skipper Daniel Cragg dismissed from the opening ball.
Valley could not string any partnerships together and Owaka’s bowlers took regular wickets between the rain delays.
Jugraj Singh (25) and Michael McBreen (14) were the pick of the Valley batters, while Clayton Sheppard continued his strong start to the season with two for seven off three overs.
In response, Owaka chased the total down in the 18th over, despite leaving for numerous rain breaks throughout the innings.
Opener Gordon Edwards carried his bat and navigated some extremely testing conditions for his 43 not out.
The Waihola Swans had their first success of the season with a commanding 106-run win over the Milton King Crabs at the Crab Grounds in Milton.
Waihola scored 151 for five after being asked to bat.
Opening batter Rowan Craw was the shining light for the Swans with an unbeaten 71. Craw hit five fours and four sixes in his innings.
Dylan Bungard also struck a useful 44 to give Waihola a defendable total.
In reply, Milton struggled to build any kind of momentum and were bowled out for just 45 in the 13th over of the innings.
Waihola bowler Brad Williams was a stand-out with the ball, picking up four wickets and conceding just one run from three overs.
The teams now brace themselves for a doubleheader weekend, where the semifinalists will be found.
— Francis Parker
