Eastern, making its debut in Borton Cup cricket, almost knocked over last season's top team, Albion, at Waikouaiti on Saturday, falling short of victory by two runs. Waitaki Boys, backed up by some accurate bowling by the Smith brothers, Jeremy and Nathan, guided the side to a seven-wicket win over Valley, while Union beat St Kevins College by eight wickets.
Albion batted first against Eastern and an opening stand of 110 runs by Paul Odell (55) and Peter Cartwright (47), backed up by Gary Mahuika (36 not out) and Matt Day (25), saw Albion through to 197 for three in its 50 overs. Bowling for Eastern, Ollie McLelland took all three wickets for 33 runs. Eastern looked to have the game under control with steady batting from Richard Snell (33), Greg Stevenson-Wright (21) and James Dempster (21). It required three runs of the final ball of the match, but a single left Eastern a couple runs short. Bowling for Albion, Brad Kernahan took three for 29 off 10 overs, while Odell and Mahuika took two wickets each.
Batting first, St Kevin's College was dismissed for 78 runs in the 35th over. Matt Brien tops-scored with 36. Bowling for Union, Jason Todd took four for 19 and Dan Conlan and Michael Ormandy took three wickets each. Union cruised through to 79 for two in 15 overs, Thomas Shields making an unbeaten 37.
Valley, batting first against Waitaki Boys' High School, made a meagre 52 runs before the final wicket fell in the 28th over. Nathan Smith took four for 9, Stephan Grobler claimed four for 2 off just eight balls and Jeremy Smith took two for 24 off his 10 overs. Waitaki Boy's took only 17 overs to make 53 for three. Reuben Simpson took two wickets for 12 for Valley.
In a senior reserve match, Eastern best Eastern Colts by seven wickets. Batting first, the Colts made 119 for six, Warren Simpson top-scoring with 34. Tom Dempster took two for 18 for Eastern, off his six overs. An unbeaten 45 from Murray Dempster saw Eastern through to 123 for three.
Short Scorecard(s)
Senior - Borton Cup - Round 2
Waitaki Boys 1st XI vs Valley Senior at Weston Park 1
Valley Senior 52 (N.G. Smith 4-9, S.F. Grobler 3-4, J.B. Smith 2-24 )
Waitaki Boys 1st XI 53-3 (R. Simpson 2-12 )
WBHS by 7 wickets
Union Senior vs St Kevins 1st XI at St Kevins Artifical
St Kevins 1st XI 78 ( M. Brien 36, J. Todd 4-19, M. Ormandy 3-22, D. Conlan 3-23 )
Union Senior 79-2 ( T.M. Shields 37no )
Union by 8 wickets
Senior Reserve - NOCA Cup - Round 1
Eastern Senior Reserve vs Eastern Colts at Mill Reserve
Eastern Colts 119-6 ( W. Simpson 34, T. Dempster 2-16 )
Eastern Senior Reserve 123-3 ( M. Dempster 45no )
Eastern by 7 wkts