Two exciting games marked the latest round of Borton Cup cricket, the first round in almost a month that wasn’t rain-affected.
In the Payne Tempero Cup match, after St Kevin's elected to field, holders Albion dismissed for 139 in 43 overs. Tom Squire made 33, and Amal Asok 27. Josh Phipps took 5-51, his first 5 wicket bag at senior level, Sam McCarthy 3-39 and Liam Direen 2-8.
In its chase, St Kevin’s lost its first three wickets for 15 runs. Ex-volt Craig Smith then started to bring his side back into the game. Hayden Creedy then made the critical breakthrough, bowling Smith for 65, St Kevin’s 116-7 with 24 still required. Phipps then led his side home with 26. Aneesh Kumar took 3-29, Hayden Creedy 2-16 and Anthony Docherty 2-40. St Kevin’s final total 143/8 in the 41st over.
At Milner Park, Waitaki Boys played Valley in another close game. Waitaki in its innings making 138 in 48 overs, Thomas Anderson top-scored with 41. Backing up his double ton from last weekend, North Otago’s wicketkeeper-batsman Lachlan Kingan showed his bowling skills, taking 5-19. Sean Webber took 3-29.
Valley took an aggressive stance in its chase scoring runs quickly, but Waitaki was making the most of their chances. In a close finish, Valley reached 140/8 in 26 overs. George Eldridge scored 32 and Kingan 26. Logan Wilson took 4-28 and Sam Petrie 3-38.
In the final game of the round, Oamaru had a comfortable 8 wicket win. Lakshay Siwach ripped through the order taking 5-19, Stephan Grobler 2-10 and Ricky Singh took 2-29. Glenavy 77 all out.
Oamaru scored the required runs in less than 10 overs, with Grobler making 45, and Nick Johnston 24. Ross McCulloch took 2-8, the only wickets to fall, being on a hat-trick at one point.
Short Scorecards:
St Kevins 143/8 (C. Smith 65, J Phipps 26 not out, A Kumar 3-29, H. Creedy 2-16, A. Docherty 2-40) defeated Albion 139 (T. Squire 33, A. Asok 27, J. Phipps 5-51, L. Direen 2-8, S. McCarthy 3-39) by 2 wickets.
Valley 140/8 (G. Eldridge 32, L. Kingan 26, L. Wilson 4-28, S. Petrie 3-38) defeated Waitaki Boys 138 (T. Anderson 41, L. Kingan 5-19, S. Webber 3-29) by 2 wickets.
Oamaru 78/2 (S. Grobler 45, N. Johnston 24 not out, R. McCulloch 2-8) defeated Glenavy 77 (L. Siwach 5-19, S. Grobler 2-10, R. Singh 2-29) by 8 wickets.