The latest in sports from North and South Otago.
Central Otago
- By Rhys Chamberlain
• In the final round of Central Otago matches before the Christmas break, Alexandra beat competition leader Cromwell at Anderson Park on Saturday by three wickets.
Ross Anderson was the shining light in the Cromwell innings of 142, scoring 37 not out. But it was the four wickets by Mike Rabette that highlighted a strong bowling performance from Alexandra. Rabette had just 33 runs scored off him and he and Dave Lilley picked up seven of the 10 wickets.
The visitors' reply was not without a hiccup or two and reaching the small target proved harder than anticipated, leaving only three wickets in hand by the time the total was passed.
• At the Events Centre in Queenstown, the home side scored an impressive win over Blacks Hill by 29 runs.
The win came on the back of some fine batting from Michael Collins (75) and James Rose (40). Braydon Hill picked up three wickets for 46 for Blacks Hill.
The visitors put up a good fight but fell short, thanks to a wonderful spell of bowling from Sean Windle who finished with four for 21.
Nothing should be taken away from a brilliant 77 by Kieran Eathorne for Blacks Hill. He, along with Cam Nicolson (45) gave their side a chance but to no avail.
Albion had the bye.
• In the Maniototo, a 141 run opening partnership from Tim Greer (76no) and Hamish McKenzie(58no) steered Naseby to a comprehensive 10 wicket win over Macraes.
Chasing 139, Greer and McKenzie made easy work of the total set by the visitors after James McMillan set the standard in the field for Naseby taking four for 16. Greer also bowled tidily ensuring he was the games man of the match.
• At Gimmerburn the home side managed a 34-run win over Palmerston on the back of Cameron Grey's 82-run haul.
Batting first Gimmerburn posted 202 for six thanks also to Lachie Elliot, who finished the innings 46 not out.
James Grubb and Matt McLelland picked up two wickets each for Palmerston.
Grubb then featured in the chase scoring 62. He was aided by James Porter who had 35 not out but it was in vain as 40 overs were bowled with Palmerston falling short of the total with nine wickets down. The wickets were shared around the Gimmerburn bowlers, Mark Pringle the best of them with three for 32. Tim O'Malley, Logan Dowling and Steve Blakely all had two each.
• Ranfurly notched up another win for the season when it thrashed home side Waikouaiti by 75 runs.
The visitor was all out for 122 after Kris Miller (34) and Nick Graham (31) put together a solid batting performance but it was Aaron Rae's five-wicket bag for just six runs that was the highlight of the first innings. Blair Stewart also bowled well, finishing with figures of two for 14.
The reply from Waikouaiti was less than inspiring, as it limped to just 47 before being all out.
Brad Williams managed 12 of those 47 while Luke Steele and Liam Dowling each picked up three wickets in the win for Ranfurly.
Bowls
• Naseby's Brian Miller was the big winner of the weekend in Maniototo's sub centre pennants. He beat Steve Pike, of Waipiata, 27-15. David Andrew (Waipiata) and John Steele (Naseby) played out a closely fought match, Andrew finally taking the match 18-16. Ron Hamil (Patearoa), Ken Weir (Ranfurly) and Ewen Kirk (Ranfurly) also picked up wins their matches.
North Otago
- By Terry O'Neill
• Oamaru and Valley scored wins in the final round of Dick Hunt trophy before the Christmas break. Oamaru beat Union by 50 runs at Whitestone stadium while at Awamoa Park, Valley beat Albion by 66 runs.
Union won the toss and put Oamaru into bat.
Due to another fine innings from Regan George (54), Oamaru made 149 before the final wicket fell. Glen Paterson added 28, while bowling for Union, Craig Robertson took four for 32 and Riley Rooney, two for 42. Union was dismissed for 99 in the 29th over. Robertson top-scored with 23 while bowling for Oamaru, George Inwood took three for 23, Ben Colenan three for 23 and Khalil two for 30.
• Valley won the toss and decided to bat first against Albion and made 216. Nick Webster led the way with 44. Geoff Mavor added 26, Hamish McKenzie, 20 and further up the order Neil Gill made 38. Tom Squire came to light down the order with 29. Bowling for Albion, Gareth Duncan took four for 35, Sam Pringle three for 32 and Dylan Winter two for 18.
Albion was dismissed for 150 in the 37th over with Duncan top-scoring with 26 and Shaun Robertson adding 20. Hamish McKenzie took three for 46, while Geoff Mavor and Tom Squire took two wickets each.
Bowls
• Phoenix Maroon, Phoenix Gold and Meadowbank Gold scored clear-cut victories in the Mills shield played on Saturday morning. Ian Pitches and Wayne Forbes won their two matches for Phoenix Maroon. Tony Hill and Trevor Robertson scored wins over Hampden for Phoenix Gold and Meadowbank Gold beat RSA, with Bill McMurtry and Noel Read winning their games.
In the men's sevens, Awamoa Gold and Phoenix Maroon recorded 3-0 wins. Mark Lister (singles), Bob Mason (pairs) and Barney Patton (fours) won their matches against Kurow while for Phoenix Maroon, Ray Forbes (singles), Wayne Forbes (pairs) and John Priddle (fours) won their games.
In the women's sevens Awamoa and Meadowbank Gold had 2-1 wins. For Meadowbank Gold, Anne McDonald (singles) and Dorothy Breen (pairs) won their games, while for Awamoa Eleanor Nimmo (singles) and Val Lee (pairs) gave their side the edge.
South Otago
- By Norman Woods
• Kaitangata scored a narrow four-run victory over Clinton in the latest round of the South Otago cricket competition, played on Saturday.
Batting first, Kaitangata scored 152 for nine from its 20 overs. Roger Pennell top-scored with 44 runs from 36 balls, while Blair Benington scored 38 runs from only 22 balls. Best bowling for Clinton came from Heath Culbertson and Kurt Thomson, with two wickets each.
Clinton in reply, reached 148 for eight wickets at the end of its 20 overs. Adam Mackie (35), Kurt Thomson (28) and Kerry Craig (18) scored the bulk of the runs. Bowling for Kaitangata, Chris Hurst took two for 38 from his four overs.
• Milton batted first against Owaka and scored 162 from its 20 overs. Simon Scott top-scored with 44, followed by Ryan Littlejohn (32) and Raymond Burleigh (22). Milton had made a splendid start, scoring 70 runs from the first four overs.
Owaka's bowlers stuck to their task well though, with Jim Young, three for 19, and Reece Pullar, three for 16, faring best with the ball.
In reply, Owaka was dismissed for only 116. Best batting came from Reece Pullar (25 not out) and Gordon Edwards (24). Littlejohn completed an outstanding contribution to the match by taking four for 16, and Marcus Scott took two for 6, as Milton won by 46 runs.
• At Lawrence, the home team batted first against SOHS and was 172 for 4 at the end of 20 overs. Tony Potter was the standout, hitting 64, including five sixes. Sam Wyber chimed in with 37. Best of SOHS bowling came from Blair Willocks, with two for 25. SOHS looked in cruise mode at 80 for two wickets, but it crumbled and was all out for 98. Pat McKenna led the way with 32, followed by Alton Gray, with 19. Three bowlers for Lawrence collected two wickets each.
Highlight of the innings was the performance of Lawrence's wicketkeeper, Gareth Reid, who took five dismissals with three catches and two stumpings, in a fine display.
Bowls
• The men's interclub bowls competition continued with round nine being played on Saturday.
Clutha Valley scored the upset of the day, when it beat current leader, Kaka Point 8-4. For Valley, A. Cornish scored two wins, while Russell Crawford and Tony Cook scored one each. Best from Kaka Point, came from Ken Stephens and Ray Hopkins with one win each.
Balclutha scored a 10-2 win over Owaka. For Balclutha, Bill Barron led the way with two excellent wins, while John de Malmanche was another in good form, also collecting two wins. Blair Thomson managed the other win. Owaka's only points came from Bruce Wilson.
Stirling held out Milton White to win by 8-4. For Stirling, John Sutherland (two) and Max Collett (one) recorded wins, while two other games were drawn. Best for Milton White came from Alan Philip, with a win, while the others earned two draws.
In a close encounter, T and C beat Milton Blue by 7-5. For the winner, Barrie Keach scored two wins, and David Renton one. In a pairs game, Barrie Keach, partnered with Brent Horne, held out Gerry Wyber and Les Fraser in a thriller at 23-18. For Milton Blue, Gerry Wyber and Sandy McNoe recorded wins.
Milton Gold proved too good for neighbours, Waihola, winning by 10-2. For Milton,Peter Mathieson (two), Len Glassford (two), and Arthur Mead scored wins, with Neil Walker the best of the Waihola bowlers.
Kaitangata scored a minor surprise, when it beat Finegand 8-4. For the winner, Graeme Hislop (two), Stu Uren, and Pete Brookes scored wins, with the best for Finegand coming from Dave Roxburgh and Peter Miller.
