The Bandits won the toss and elected to bat. The opening pair of Jeremy Gray and Joel White put on a solid partnership of 79 for the first wicket and the side was 95 for two at drinks.
Owaka’s third wicket partnership reached 60 before the loss of another wicket. This brought Sparey to the crease. What happened next could only be described as unbelievable.
Sparey slaughtered the Lawrence bowlers on his way to a competition high score of 142 not out.
He was in sublime form and never looked troubled at all. He bludgeoned 18 sixes and four fours on his way to one of the fastest centuries in this competition. Owaka finished its 40 overs on a very strong 302 for five.
Lawrence was guilty of poor fielding and upwards of 11 catches were dropped in the field. The five wickets were shared around the bowlers. Adam Wilson was the most economical. Jeremy Gray was the next highest Owaka batsman with 54.
In reply, the Lions were bowled out for 128 in the 31st over.
Sparey was once again the main contributor. He returned figures of four for 33 off seven overs and should have had a fifth but a catch was dropped towards the end of the innings. Sparey rocketed through the top of the Lions order to leave it reeling at 25 for four. The Lions middle order failed to get going but the tail wagged to push the score over the 100 mark. Kane Johnston top-scored with a tidy 33. Captain Sam Wyber was next best with 24.
Most of the Bandits bowlers took wickets. Hayden Sheppard and Willy Watson both picked up their first scalps for the club.The Kai Kings had a comfortable 75 run win over the Clutha Comets in Kaitangata. The Kings batted first and made 192 for nine off 40 overs.
Captain Mark Shepherd top-scored with 38. Opening batsman Greg Webber was next best with 33.
Most of the Kings middle to lower order contributed but none could kick on to a big total. Comets opening bowler Connor Smith continued his hot streak with the ball, returning figures of three for 19 off his eight overs. Smith has now taken nine wickets in the last two outings for Clutha.
In reply, the Comets could not repeat their batting heroics of last week and were bowled out for 117 in the 30th over. Sam Mosley was once again Clutha’s top run scorer with 27. Michael Hayes was next best with 17. Kai opening bowler Jason Young bowled extremely well and returned strong figures of four for 15 off seven overs. Young took four very important middle order wickets, including the dangerous Rhiane Smith for a duck.
The Waihola Swans go into the new year unbeaten in the longer format. They have defeated the Valley Stingers by 63 runs in Milton. Waihola batted first and scored 202 for seven off 40 overs. Veteran batsman Tim Grant top scored with 47. Ashton Tourell was next highest with 43. These two shared the innings best partnership of 66 runs. Bevan McCall was Valley’s best bowler with figures of two for 27 off seven.
In reply the Stingers were dismissed for 139 in the 35th over. Their top order mostly got starts but could not go on.
Morgan Culbertson top-scored with 29. Michael Johnston was next with 26. The wickets were shared around by the Swans bowlers. Kellan Crowie, Craig Gordon, Kaleb Hill and Dion Willocks all picked up two wickets each.
- Francis Parker
