Valley and Oamaru through to Final
North Otago walks of the field at stumps on the second day of the Hawke Cup Challenge
Tuesday, 11 March 2008

Second-placed qualifier Oamaru will meet fourth-qualifier Valley in the final of the Borton Cup cricket competition after both teams won their semi-finals on Saturday. Albion won the toss and decided to bat first against Oamaru at Whitestone Stadium after 11 overs was 42 for three with Peter Cartwright, Jason Greaney and Dylan Winter all dismissed cheaply. In the next eight-over spell, Oamaru took the valuable wicket of Brad Kernahan for 13. Dan Fletcher played a defiant innings before he was run out for 39 as Albion struggled through to 104 for seven in the 26th over. The Albion innings lasted only a further 3.3 overs as the side was dismissed for 119, with David Sewell taking two for 20 off eight overs while off-spinner Paul Selbie took four for 20 of his 10 overs.

Oamaru lost Kahlil in the first 10 overs to be 42 for one but then slumped to 63 for four after 20 overs. Josh Gutsell anchored the innings with 49 runs and , with Sewell, featured in a sixth-wicket stand of 56. Albion dropped five catches while the pair were at the crease. Oamaru passed the Albion total in the 34th over with Paul O'Dell taking three for 21 off eight overs.

Union won the toss at its home ground, King George Park, and Valley, put into bat, meandered to 28 for one after 12 overs and by the 20th was 49 for three, key batsman Mark Paterson run out without scoring. In the next seven overs, Valley added 41 runs but lost Nick Webster (24) out leg before to Phil Crossan. Valley made a further 55 runs, Sam Young added 21 and Hamish McKenzie unbeaten on 22 when the final wicket fell at 145 in the 42nd over. Paul Johnston took three for 27 for Union. Union collapsed to 38 for five after 13 overs. It battled to 67 for seven after 20 overs, then added 18 runs in the next five overs to be effectively 85 for nine after Ormandy, batting, was hit on the elbow and forced to retire. The end came in the 37th over at 99, John Blakely taking three for 15 off eight overs.

-Terry O'Neill

Sponsors