Taieri wins knockout final at fourth attempt

Taieri's Jacob Foley plays a scoop shot as North East Valley keeper Will Kindley reacts at the...
Taieri's Jacob Foley plays a scoop shot as North East Valley keeper Will Kindley reacts at the University Oval on Sunday. Photo: Taieri Cricket
After three failures, it was fourth time lucky for Taieri in the knockout cup final at the University of Otago Oval on Sunday.

The previous three finals had all featured Taieri but the side as lost every time and it has been disheartening for the club.

But it got the winning feeling on Sunday, riding on the back of English import Jake Foley to claim the victory.

Taieri won the toss and decided to bat in the twenty20 encounter.

The knockout cup games used to be 50-over contests but New Zealand Cricket has ruled games will now be 20 overs

It has also pulled its funding for the tournament making it harder for teams to commit to head to Auckland.

Some teams pulled out of the competition before it started but Taieri was keen and ended up with a convincing victory over North East Valley in the final on Sunday.

Taieri posted a competitive total of 156 for seven wickets, Foley scoring 59 and Marcus Frost making a valuable 27 at the end in a brisk 16 balls.

North East Valley never got going in reply and was dismissed for just 116 from the first ball of the 20th over.

Tom Griffin was the only player to score more than 20, reaching 22, and the side never had any partnership of note.

Taieri bowlers Ben Lockrose and Regan Flaws put the brakes on and Dale Phillips picked up three wickets as the pressure went on.

The national club finals will be in Auckland at the start of April.

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