Union confirmed its place as top qualifier in Borton Cup cricket with five wicket win over Waitaki Boys High School and will go automatically into the final on 4 April. Albion by virtue of a three wicket win over Valley at Weston drew level with second placed Oamaru which was beaten by St Kevin's College by 63 runs in the penultimate qualifying round on Saturday. Next Saturdays round will see no change in the final placing's with Oamaru and Albion vying for a home ground semi final.

Union won the toss and asked Waitaki Boys to bat first at King George Park. Waitaki started brightly putting on 57 for two after 11 overs but it was only an outstanding individual batting effort from Chris Ware(73) that carried his side through to 139 b before the final wicket fell in the 34th over. Glynn Cameron returned the excellent figures of five for 22 off 7.1 overs while Paul Johnston and Phil Crossan took two wickets each.

A fine 61 from opener Duncan Drew anchored the Union innings with the Shields brothers, Thomas(21) and Jeremiah(24 not out) making valuable contributions as Union passed the Waitaki Boys total with five wickets in hand.

Although things got a little tense in the dying stages with Albion needing seven runs from six overs with three wickets in hand, the vital runs came in the 40th over at 141 for seven. Valley was sent in to bat by Albion and apart from John Blakely(32) and Will Bole(39 not out) the side was dismissed for 140 in the 35th over. Dylan Winter and Brad Kernahan taking two wickets each. Albion looked to be struggling at 80 for five after 23 overs with opener Darren Shillito(26) the best of the top order batsmen featuring in an opening stand of 47 with Jason Greaney(24)Further down the order Steve Halliwell(20) made a valuable contribution to guide Albion to victory. Geoff Mavor took three for 30 and Andrew Fisher two for 28.

Tight accurate bowling by St Kevin's College gave Oamaru its second successive loss. Asked to bat by Oamaru St Kevin's batted through its 45 overs to be 173 for eight. Sean Conlan led the way with 37 while opener Simon Butler(32), Dan Molloy(25 not out) and Joe Graham(23) gave solid support. Paul Selbie and Mark Creighton took three wickets each for Oamaru. Oamaru slumped to 26 for two after 12 overs and never really recovered to be 72 for seven after 27 overs with Josh Gutsell(24) carrying the side through to 110 before the final wicket fell in the 38th overbid Cant and Alex Baddock took three wickets each for St Kevin's.