Taieri 178 for eight
beat Kaikorai 177
Taieri held on — just.
Jack Hunter took four for 26 in an impressive spell of bowling and Fraser Colson chipped in with 42 to help his side post 178 for eight from 46 overs at Memorial Park.
It was Taieri’s first win of the season and Kaikorai’s first defeat. But the result hung in the balance until the very last ball.
Taine Bayly stitched the chase together with a fine innings of 90. It looked like he might be carrying his side to victory but he got off strike at the wrong time, leaving No11 Hayden Creedy needing two from the last ball to win.
He swung but missed. Bayly scampered through in an attempt to steal a single and tie the game, but he was caught short and Taieri got the win.
While Bayly was unable to clinch a tie, he had a strong game. He took one for 24 from 10 overs to go with his fine effort with the bat, while Matt Hunter proved tough to get away with one for 23.
Colson was the best of the Taieri batsmen but Regan Flaws (20) and Beckham Wheeler-Greenall (20) made valuable contributions as well.
Tommy Wilson (14) shared in a 49-run stand with Colson which proved crucial.
Carisbrook-Dn 171 for six
beat North East Valley 116
Carisbrook-Dunedin opener Camden Hawkins enhanced his reputation with a wonderfully patient innings of 82.
On a tough day for batting at Tonga Park, Hawkins’ knock helped make the difference.
The outfield slowed even a crisp shot to a crawl. But he guided his side through to 171 for six, which was more than enough in the end.
The North East Valley bowling unit was frugal but was not able to find a way to pry him from the crease.
Hawkins had support from fellow opener Patrick Arnold (21) and Max Chu (22). Richard Sillars made 16 at No6, which was very handy in the context of the game.
He played a key part with the ball as well, picking up three for 21 as North East Valley collapsed to be all out for 116 in the 34th over — a 55-run defeat.
Pace bowler Kurt Johnston accounted for three of the top four batsmen with a fine spell.
For North East Valley, Hunter Kindley (two for 27) and Ben Brady (two for 28) bowled tidy spells, while Otago prospect Travis Muller went unrewarded with none for 34 from nine overs.
Brady showed some fight at No9 with an unbeaten innings of 24.
Albion 239 for nine
beat University-Grange 206
University-Grange is creeping closer to a first win in its comeback season.But the visiting side was ultimately undone but a strong batting performance from Albion’s Jack Coman at Culling Park.
He capitalised on a solid start from his side with 91 not out from 113 balls. Coman got the ball across the boundary eight times despite a sluggish outfield and batted well in partnership with Otago’s Josh Tasman-Jones (43).The pair added 61 for the fifth wicket.
Coman did the bulk of the scoring following Tasman-Jones’ departure, while Taylor Cumberland (31) and Daniel Duke (25) had put on 50 for the first wicket.
Albion reached 239 for nine despite the best efforts of Josh Taylor, who was a handful with the ball. He took three for 29, and Myles Driscoll (one for 27) was tidy. The rest of the University-Grange attack was expensive.
University-Grange did not get the base it was looking for but Cam Meads provided the hope. He dug in for 64 not out and had some decent support from Driscoll (26). No10 Sam Nooden smashed 29 from 22, but the chase fell 33 short.
