The Owaka Bandits are outright leaders of the South Otago 40-over cricket competition, beating the Clutha Comets by 116 runs in Owaka thanks to a magnificent century by stand-in captain Gordon Edwards.
Owaka won the toss and racked up 257 for six.
The Bandits were 16 for two when Edwards came to the crease and immediately set about his work, moving well and hitting gaps in the field.
He was joined by Daniel White, in his first match for the Bandits this season, who brought up his half-century off just 34 balls then fell for 51, including six fours and two sixes, when the partnership had reached 90.
Edwards then shared an 83-run partnership with Raiden Pennicott (15) before reaching his second century for Owaka.
At the end of the innings, Edwards was unbeaten on 124 off 109 balls, including 14 fours and three sixes.
Connor Smith took three wickets for Clutha.
In reply, the Comets were dismissed for 141 in the 25th over.
Dom Grinton (19) and Mike Edwards (24) got starts before Matt Morahan took two wickets in two balls for the Bandits.
There was a fightback from Kelan Smith (31 off 13), and Owaka gave away 42 extras, but the tail collapsed, giving Owaka a bonus-point win and some breathing room at the top of the table.
White continued his stellar match with three wickets for one run off two immaculate overs.
The Valley Stingers kept their impressive run going with a seven-wicket win over the Kai Kings at Tuapeka Mouth.
Kai was dismissed for 120 in the 37th over.
Ash Sharma and Richard Ray bowled well together in tandem, Sharma’s line and length making it very difficult for the Kings batters to score.
Both men bowled eight overs on the trot, Ray finishing with four for 34, and Sharma two for 22.
William Casey led Kai with 33, while Luc Thomson (30) added some resistance at the end.
In reply, Stingers openers Alex Campbell (30) and Daniel Cragg (14) found plenty of gaps in the field and scored some useful boundaries.
There were useful cameos from Lachie Johnston (22) and Bevan McCall (27) as Valley achieved its target in the 21st over.
It was a fairly complete performance from the Stingers, who now move into the top two on the table.
Casey continued to lead from the front for Kai with two wickets for 31 off five overs.
- Francis Parker
