The Waihola Swans beat the Owaka Bandits by five wickets in the opening match of the twenty20 competition in Balclutha.
The Swans won the toss and bowled first. Owaka could only manage 121 for five off 20 overs.
The Owaka batsmen could not rotate the strike enough and played out too many dot balls.
Jeremy Gray top-scored for the Bandits with 54. Colin Sparey was next best on 22. The wickets were shared around but opening bowler Jamie Morton was the most economical.
He returned figures of one for 18 off his four overs.
In reply the Swans chased the total down with an over to spare. Jordie Bungard top-scored with 21. Taylor Moeahu was next best with 19. CP Singh took two wickets for the Bandits and looked dangerous. Captain Tony Miller also bowled well taking one for 9 off his four overs.
The Kai Kings gave the Lawrence Lions a harsh reintroduction to the competition at Kaitangata.
The home side defeated Lawrence by 111 runs in a commanding display.
Kai won the toss and elected to bat first.
It made an impressive 176 for five in 20 overs. Captain Mark Shepherd bludgeoned the Lions bowlers to all parts of the ground in his knock of 85, including 10 sixes. Opener Blair Benington was next best with 34. Lawrence captain Sam Wyber returned the best figures for Lawrence with two for 43 off his four overs.
In reply Lawrence was bowled out for 65 runs in the 12th over. Sam Wyber was the only Lions batsman to reach double figures. He hit a tidy 44 before being dismissed.
Taine Wilson was next highest on 8. Orry Young and Greg Webber took three wickets each for the Kings. Left arm bowler Webber was impressive, recording figures of three for 5 off three overs.
The Valley Stingers beat the Clutha Comets by 9 wickets in their game played at Tuapeka Mouth.
The Comets batted first and could only muster 79, all out in the 15th over.
Caleb Carson (22) and Alfie Omelvena-Flame (12) were the only batsmen to make double figures. The Valley bowlers worked well together.
Jonny May, Bevan McCall and Richard Ray all picked up three wickets each.
In reply the Stingers chased the total down with six overs to spare for the loss of only two wickets. Michael Johnston top-scored with 22 not out.
Dave McCall finished with 18 not out. Sam Mosley and Connor Smith took the only two wickets for the Clutha side.
- Francis Parker
