Valley beat Oamaru by 20 runs in the Dick Hunt Trophy final on Friday night.
The Valley top order made a strong start with Jack Kelly (21), Toby Growcott (48) and Hunter Growcott (21) scoring quickly, and at 78 for one after nine overs, they were poised for a large total.
Valley’s innings then stalled as Nick Johnston took control with the ball for Oamaru.
Over the next seven overs, they lost five wickets for 47 runs — Johnston taking four wickets and one catch — to be 125 for six in the 16th over.
Wickets continued to fall with four dismissed in the final two overs, as Valley were all out for 146 in 19.5 overs.
Johnston finished with four for 31 for Oamaru, while Hawke Cup captain Jeremy Smith took two for 15 and Asanka Gamlathge two for 26.
Oamaru struck early trouble and were 19 for three after four overs.
Smith and Luke Taylor added 47 for the fourth wicket before Taylor was stumped by Hunter Growcott for 29, leaving Oamaru 65 for four in the 12th over.
With the required rate climbing above 10 per over, Valley’s fielding tightened and wickets fell regularly.
Smith remained at the crease but received little support.
Oamaru finished on 126 for seven in their 20 overs, falling 20 runs short. Smith was unbeaten on 53.
Billy Wilson claimed two for 26 and Liam Direen two for 18 for Valley.
Valley claimed their first senior trophy in six seasons, winning the Dick Hunt for the 10th time overall. Their predecessor club, Country, won it six times before 1992.
On Saturday, the Borton Cup resumed with Albion beating St Kevin’s, Oamaru beating Waitaki Boys’, and Glenavy edging Valley.
He ended up on the losing side, but Jack Price snared a hat-trick for Valley.
In the Second XI holiday competition final, Union edged Oamaru by two runs.
Union batted first, posting 100 for eight in 20 overs with Hayden Armstrong making 29. Harinder Singh (three for nine) and Sukhijinder Rana (two for 10) bowled well for Oamaru.
Oamaru fell just short, all out for 98 in 18.1 overs despite contributions from Sarel Smit (30) and Rana (22).
Jeff McCormack proved decisive for Union, claiming three wickets in the 17th over to finish with five for 10.
— Scott Cameron
