Oamaru maintained its five point lead over Union in Borton Cup cricket when it beat Waitaki Boys by 49 runs at Milner Park on Saturday. Union held its second place with a six-wicket win over Valley, which slipped out of contention, while Albion beat St Kevin's College by 153 runs to consolidate its third placing and a place in the semi-finals.
Valley won the toss and batted first against Union at King George Park. Only 22 runs were scored in the first ten overs at a cost of two wickets.
Eight overs later, Kelvin Mansfield (32) , and Mark Patterson (23) had taken Valley to 60 for two. By the 25th over Valley was 97 for five and the innings closed at 151 in the 41st over.
Veteran John Crombie took four for 40 off 10 overs. Glynn Cameron (46) and Thomas Shields (23) gave Union a brisk start but the side was 90 for three after 27 overs.
Antony Cromwell (28) and Mike Ormandy (26 not out) took Union to 152 for four in the 35th over.
Waitaki Boys won the toss and put Oamaru in to bat at Milner Park. Waitaki had Oamaru 34 for two after 11 overs. Nine overs later, Oamaru was 69 for three with Nathan Mitchell (23) and Josh Gutsell (52) at the crease. Gutsell guided Oamaru through to 134 before the final wicket fell in the 37th over. Chris Ware took three for 26 and Matt Medlicott three for 20.
Waitaki found runs hard to come by against David Sewell and after 13 overs was 53 for six. Chris Ware (27 not out) took the side through to 85 before the final wicket fell in the 25th over. Paul Selbie destroyed the Waitaki Boys tail, taking three for nine.
St Kevin's put Albion in to bat at the St Kevin's top ground and Albion put on 270 runs for the loss of six wickets in the 45 overs.
Albion lost three early wickets to be 59 for three after 17 overs before Paul O'Dell (44) and Brad Kernahan (49) swung into action. O'Dell's wicket saw Albion 147 for four after 30 overs and in the final 15 overs Albion added a further 123 runs, with Steve Halliwell (66) flaying the college attack. Gareth Duncan provided good support with 28.
Ben Cant made a fine 33 for St Kevin's but with his demise wickets fell regularly, and the side was dismissed for 117 in the 25th over. O'Dell took four for 41 and Kernahan three for 19.