Oamaru's unbeaten run in Borton cup cricket came to an end at the Showground's when it lost by a solitary wicket to Albion. Valley got its hopes back on track with a two wicket win over Waitaki Boys High School in a low scoring game while Union had its final preparation for its Payne/Tempero trophy challenge next week against holders Oamaru with a 144 run win over St Kevin's College. Oamaru won the toss and batted first against Albion and it was only a fighting knock of 62 from Regan George that enable Oamaru to make 135 before the tenth wicket fell in the 38th over. Daniel Fletcher was the pick of the Albion bowlers taking four for 28 while Brad Kernahan, Paul O'Dell and Dylan Winter took two wickets each. Albion made hard work of the chase and after 16 overs was 67 for four with Peter Cartwright 25 not out. Cartwright was still unbeaten on 31 as Albion made it through to 95 for five in the 24th over. Albion then lost three quick wickets to be 124 for eight needing 12 runs to win. It lost its ninth wicket in the process but finally hit the winning run from the first ball of the 33rd over. Cartwright finished with 34 while the bowling performance of the day came from Oamaru's Mark Creighton who off 9.1 overs took six for 33 while Paul Selbie claimed two for 30. Waitaki Boys High School won the toss and batted first at Weston but was bundled out for 64 in the 24th over. Tony Gray took five for 16 for Valley and James McNally, four for 21. Valley battled to pass the Waitaki total and after 13 overs was 41 for five. Rob McNally(20) provided the foundation as Valley struggled to 65 for eight with Chris Ware taking three for 27 off his ten overs. Union's Mark Wilson stamped his mark on his sides match against St Kevin's College top scoring with 71. Winning the toss and batting first the Union innings was given momentum with a second wicket stand of 130 between Jason Todd(66) and Duncan Drew(48) and the side went through to 263 for six in its 45 overs. Alex Baddock and Ben Cant took two wickets each for St Kevin's. St Kevin's lost early wickets and it simply became a battle for survival before the end came at 119 in the 33rd over with Reece Bradley top scoring with 20.Phil Crossan, Glynn Cameron and Paul Johnston took two wickets each for Union.
Short Scoreboards
Senior - Borton Cup Round 6.
Valley 65-8 ( R McNally 20; C Ware three for 27, S Todd two for 11) Waitaki Boys High School 64 ( T Gray five for 16, J McNally four for 21). Valley by 2 wickets.
Union 263-6 (M Wilson 71, J Todd 66, D Drew 48; B Cant two for 52, A Baddock two for 31) St Kevin's College 119 (R Bradley 20; P Crossan two for 21, G Cameron two for 12, Paul Johnston two for 18). Union by 144 runs.
Albion 136-9 ( P Cartwright 34, B Kernahan 24; M Creighton six for 33, P Selbie two for 30) Oamaru 135 (R George 62; D Fletcher four for 28, P O'Dell two for 36, B Kernahan two for 30, D Winter two for 20). Albion by 1 wicket.
East Otago
Macraes 263-4 (M O'Connell 47, M Sutton 124no, A Hope 23no, C Vickery 27, L Lambert two for 89, A Rae one for 46, K Liddall one for 41) Palmerston 135-6 (L Lambert 60no, S Oliver 20, G Thomas 23, A Sutton one for 35, Hope one for 14, A Harbie one for 24).
North Otago Senior Reserve
Albion 274-2 ( R Whyte 115, K McFelin 71 not out, S Guyton 35) St Kevin's College 2nd X1 128 ( R Witham 55, S Roughan 30; S Guyton five for 35). Albion by 146 runs.
North Otago Second Grade
Valley 279-3 ( G Laird 90, R McNally 76, S Kingan 28, J Frew 28 not out; W Jamison two for 51) Albion White 199-? (J McMahan 60 not out; G Fisher two for 28,J Fawkes five for 24). Valley by 80 runs.