Union are the Dick Hunt champions for the 13th time after defeating top qualifier Oamaru by 5 wickets at Centennial Park Oval.
Oamaru won the toss and elected to bat, with openers Regan George and Hunter Wardle getting their side of to a good start putting 55 on for the first wicket before the wicket of George was lost for 22. Union was then able to start to slow the run rate through the middle overs. Wardle was the second wicket to fall, caught in a stunning diving catch by Alex Wilson on the boundary, for 40 with 95 on the board in the 14th over. With wickets in hand, Oamaru then attempted to make the most of the finals overs, but with Union continuing it stranglehold, they were only able to move the score to 132 for the loss of 8 wickets after their 20 overs.
Blake Martin took 3-27, Brad Fleming 2-16, and Daniel Martin 2-16 all bowling four overs.
The Union innings early on was dominated by a typically aggressive innings by opener Kane Mclauchlan. Facing only 21 balls he had 44 to his name before he was caught of the bowling of Reece Curle. His loss did give the home side a chance to come back into the game, but good contributions from Union’s middle order, including 20 from captain Blake James, saw their side through to victory with 8 balls to spare. Union 134/5, a 5 wicket victory, and the second Dick Hunt championship in three seasons after qualifying for three finals in three consecutive seasons.
Hunter Wardle took 2-24 of his four overs, with Liam Direen taking a specular catch of his bowling to dismiss Union opener Jake Greenslade.
In the Club20 final, Valley Gold defeated Oamaru by 40 runs.
Short Scorecard(s)
Senior - Dick Hunt - Final
Union Senior vs Oamaru Senior at Whitestone Contracting Oval
Oamaru Senior 132-8 ( H.J. Wardle 40, R.J. George 22, J.B. Smith 18, L. Taylor 12, B. Martin 3-27, B.J. Fleming 2-16, D. Martin 2-16 )
Union Senior 134-5 ( K. McLachlan 44, B.G. James 20, B. Martin 16, A. Wilson 15, J. Greenslade 13, H.J. Wardle 2-24 )
Union by 5 wickets.
Full scorecard for the match
Second Grade - Holiday Club20 - Finals Round
Valley Gold vs Oamaru Club30 at WCS Outer Oval
Valley Gold 183-5 ( S. Smit 75, M. Walker 33, T. Pitchford 27no )
Oamaru Club30 143-8 ( J. Crawford 38no, B. Coleman 27no, J. Barlett 24, N. Barnes 4-32, T. Sidhu 3-19 )
Valley Gold by 40 runs.
Albion Club30 vs Union Club30 at St Kevin's 3A
Union Club30 136-6 (P. Dundass 2-20 )
Albion Club30 139-3 ( D. Roulston 49no, J. Varghese 49no )
Albion by 7 wickets.