The Swans beat the Valley Stingers by 33 runs in Milton.
The Swans elected to bat and recorded 209 for the loss of eight wickets from 40 overs.
A 66-run opening stand between Tim Grant and Dylan Bungard started the innings off well.
Grant was the aggressor, hitting 45 runs with five fours and three sixes to his name.
Valley’s bowlers fought their way back into the game.
Dion Willocks and Peter Grant featured in an innings-saving partnership of 79 runs before Willocks was dismissed for 52 with five overs left.
Grant continued to score but was also dismissed shortly after for 45.
Marc Phillips finished with fine figures of four for 38 off his eight overs.
In reply, the Stingers were dismissed for 176 in the final over of the innings.
A confident 68-run opening partnership between Bevan McCall and Morgan Culbertson gave Valley the desired platform to build on.
Culbertson was then dismissed for 27 by Craig Gordon. Gordon’s eight overs were instrumental to Waihola’s victory as he took four key Valley wickets at the top of the order.
A 52-run partnership between Michael Johnston and Marc Phillips gave the Stingers some hope as the rain came.
Both batsmen were dismissed in short order, which left Valley’s exposed tail with too much work to do as the final five batsmen could only contribute 17 runs to the total.
Opener McCall top scored with 31, Michael Johnston was next best with 30.
The Kai Kings had a convincing 105-run win over the Owaka Bandits at Kaitangata.
The Kings were asked to bat first and scored a solid 185, all out in the 39th over. The Kings batsmen controlled proceedings well and the best partnership was between Jack Dent and Jason Young for the sixth wicket, adding 52.
Young was the top scorer for the Kings with 34. Owaka’s bowlers once again struggled with extras, bowling 50 extras. Reece Pullar was the pick of the Bandits bowlers with three for 27 off four overs.
In reply, the Bandits were dismissed for just 80 runs in the 26th over of the match, in a toothless batting display. Young led the charge at the top of the innings as he tore through the Owaka top order.
Young had the ball on a string and caused plenty of headaches as he returned very impressive figures of four for 24 off eight overs. Kings captain Mark Shepherd bowled in the right areas and tore through the middle of the Bandits order, also taking four wickets.
A late-innings cameo from James Maclean (22) was the only bright spark of the Owaka innings as it crumbled far too easily.
- Francis Parker
