The Owaka Bandits extended their lead at the top of the points table with a eight-wicket win over the Kai Kings at the Royal Landfill in Kaitangata.
The Kings won the toss and elected to bat first, and were put under pressure early by the Owaka opening bowlers. A 22-run opening stand by Pat McKenna and Blair Benington was the largest of the innings, as Kai was bowled out for 86 in the 36th over. Owaka bowled well through the middle, spearheaded by Jacob Beal-Harris. He finished with figures of two for nine off eight overs. Owaka’s fielding was also top drawer, with some nice catches and two outstanding run outs.
Owaka’s extras column once again top scored for the opposition with 38.
In reply the Bandits chased the total down in the 20th over for the loss of two wickets. Jeremy Gray and Joel White once again set the platform up the top of the order with a 42-run opening stand. Gray made 34 not out before Beal-Harris showed his worth with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 23 .
The Valley Stingers gaver their finals push a big boost with a commanding nine-wicket win over the Waihola Swans at the Wasp Nest in Tuapeka. The Swans batted first and recorded 104 all out in the 37th over. The Stingers’ opening bowlers, Marc Phillips and Richard Ray, were very economical at the top of the innings, restricting the Swans top order and dismissing both openers before double figures were up on the scoreboard.
Ashton Tourell top scored for the Swans with 28. Ray, Bevan McCall and Lachie Johnston all took two wickets each, while
Phillips finished with one for six off eight overs.
In reply, the home side chased the total down in the 16th over, largely thanks to an unbeaten 59 by opening batsman Morgan Culbertson. Culbertson started slowly but once he found his groove, he was almost impossible to bowl to. His knock came off 49 balls and included seven fours and two sixes. Bevan McCall (18) and Michael Johnston (18*) also contributed nicely.
The Lawrence Lions ended the Clutha Comets’ chances of making the semifinals with a huge 201-run win at Walton Park in Fairfield. The Lions opted to bat first and recorded 268 all out in the final over of the innings. The Lions top order all got starts, but the damage was done in the middle order. Matt Whaanga and Will Young batted very well together, with both scoring half centuries. Whaanga’s 68 came in no time at all and included nine fours and three sixes. Young was dismissed on 50 and his tally included five fours and two sixes. Tyler Ritchie was the stand out bowler for the Comets, taking five for 34 off five overs amidst the carnage.
In reply the Comets had no answer and were bowled out for 67 in the 22nd over. Constant pressure at the top of the order forced the Comets batsmen into playing rash shots. None of the Comets’ first six batsmen made double figures. Jared Crawford top scored for Clutha with 16. Jackson Dempster was the pick of the Lawrence bowlers with three for 11 off three overs.
- Francis Parker
