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| Nick Johnston |
Oamaru halted Valley’s surge towards a fifth successive Dick Hunt trophy title when it defeated Valley by 14 runs in the final at Whitestone Contracting Stadium on Saturday.
Rain in the morning delayed the start, and the match was reduced from 50 overs to 35 overs each.
Oamaru won the toss, and captain Robbie Breen decided to bat.
Experience in the form of Stephan Grobler (44) and Craig Smith (94 not out) provided a solid base for Oamaru, the pair featuring in a 74-run third-wicket partnership.
Jordan Bartlett went early for seven, but all-rounder Nick Johnston (24) got together with Smith and the pair pushed through to 175 for three in a 63-run partnership.
Will Sunderland and Smith saw the total through to 203 for the loss of five wickets, with Sunderland dismissed on the final ball of the innings.
Valley started the chase confidently, and openers Lachie Kingan (55) and Rhys Petrie (42) guided it through to 98 for one.
Valley then lost Francois Mostert and Cameron Grubb cheaply, and had to battle through to 161 for seven.
Hamish McKenzie was given support from a youthful trio in Ben and Liam Mavor and Ben Kay, who did not give up their wickets cheaply. But in the end Valley was dismissed for 189.
Bowling for Oamaru, Grobler took three for 38 and Nick Johnston one for 27.
Short Scorecard(s)
Senior - Dick Hunt - Final
Valley Senior vs Oamaru Senior at Whitestone Contracting Oval
Oamaru Senior 203-5 ( C.M. Smith 94no, S.F. Grobler 44, N.R. Johnson 24, C. Hassett 12, F. Mostert 2-32 )
Valley Senior 189-9 ( L.T. Kingan 55, R. Petrie 42, H. McKenzie 23no, F. Mostert 19, A. Harding 11, S.F. Grobler 3-38, N.R. Johnston 2-25 )
Oamaru by 14 runs.
Full scorecard for the match
Player Pages:
Stephan Grobler | Cameron Grubb | Nick Johnston | Francois Mostert | Craig A Smith |