St Kevin College showed they have what it takes to contend for the Borton Cup this season after upsetting defending champions Oamaru on Saturday.
The St Kevin bowling attack caused chaos for the Chocco's top order on a difficult first-up batting wicket.
Oamaru lost Josh Gutsell early but looked to be getting out of trouble with Robbie Hill and Khalil ur-Rehman at the wicket. Englishman Simon Butler then ripped the heart out the Choccos top order with three wickets to leave them teetering at 56 for five.
No Oamaru batsman was able to get going and the side lost wickets at regular intervals. It was only thanks to a terrific lower order effort that they were able to get up to 116 from their 45 overs. Butler and youngsters Peter O'Malley and Brent O'Connor bowled superbly for St Kevin, taking seven of the nine scalps.
In reply, St Kevin lost Simon Butler for 16 with the score at 23, then Tim O'Malley soon afterwards.
Opener Ben Cant played the anchor role that Oamaru lacked, however, surviving a couple of close LBW shouts to get through to 44 for the schoolboys.
There was a mini-collapse in the St Kevin's middle order but they eventually managed to get home with three wickets to spare for an upset victory.
Oamaru captain Ben Coleman said his side did not score enough runs.
We lacked intensity. If we had scored 35 more runs I would've been happy with that, St Kevin's will knock over a few teams this year.
Union's 68-run win over Waitaki Boy's High was set up from an excellent 133-run opening stand from Duncan Drew and James Cutt
Drew struck eight fours in his 79, while Cutt batted patiently for his 49. Union ended up with 233 for three off their 45 overs, but should have probably been far more considering they were 130 for none with 20 overs to go.
Glynn Cameron and Mark Wilson both looked in good touch, stroking unbeaten knocks of 40 and 32 respectively for the home team.
Waitaki's pursuit of 234 started dreadfully when skipper Anthony Sewell was caught by Duncan Drew off the first ball of the innings. Jordan Horrell made 41 for the schoolboys, but once he went, so did Waitaki's brief glimmer of hope.
Brad McKenzie looked good in his innings of 37 but Waitaki never really went close to challenging Union's score.
Phil Crossan was the main strike weapon for Union, bagging five for 37. Union wicketkeeper Antony Cromwell was full of praise for Crossan who has taken 11 wickets in the first two Borton Cup matches.
The last few seasons he's been really unlucky. He sometimes bowls to good. His line is so consistent
Albion were too strong for Valley at Weston Park, winning in a canter by six wickets.
Valley made 142 all out, with Robert McNally, Neil Gilbert and Andrew Fisher the only batsmen to stick around for a considerable period of time. Paul Odell and Dylan Winter dominated with the ball for the Mungas, with both players grabbing four wickets.
Jon Sinclair fell early for Albion, but from then on it was plain sailing. Peter Cartwright finished unbeaten on 50, while Darin Shillito and Paul Odell both got starts, with 25 and 23 respectably.
The weekend results see Union and St Kevin's as the only unbeaten teams in the Borton Cup after the opening two rounds of action.
Oamaru 116/9 (Mark Creighton 17 not out, Simon Butler 3-28, Peter O'Malley 2-10, Brent O'Conner 2-26) St Kevin's College 119/7 (Ben Cant 44, Simon Butler 16, Paul Selbie 2-26, Josh Gutsell 2-26). St Kevin's by three wickets.
Union 233/3 (Duncan Drew 79, James Cutt 49, Glynn Cameron 40 not out) Waitaki Boys High School 165 all out (Jordan Horrell 41, Brad McKenzie 37. Phil Crossan 5-37, Glynn Cameron 2-18). Union by 68 runs.
Valley 142 all out (Robert McNally 28, Neil Gilbert 21, Paul Odell 4-18, Dylan Winter 4-26) Albion 144/4 (Peter Cartwright 50 not out, Darin Shillito 25). Albion by six wickets