Brothers put on T20 final masterclass

It was a Restieaux show at Saxton Oval as brothers Finn and Ronan guided Athletic College Old Boys to a nine-wicket T20 finals win.

Chasing the Wolves’ (Wanderers/Motueka) 147/9, captain Ollie Jones-Allen was the only wicket to fall in the chase as Finn and Ronan put on a batting clinic.

It was a 113 run partnership by the pair, with Ollie adding a handy 21 before he was dismissed looking to hit a second six in a row back over the bowlers head and getting it wrong.

His opening partner in Ronan would go on to score 74 unbeaten, totalling five sixes and four boundaries on his way to an impressive innings.

At the other end, Finn would finish the game on 51 runs from 40 balls as he just snuck in a 50 of his own as ACOB raced home with just under three overs to spare.

It really was a two-man performance by ACOB, with Jonty Raxworthy’s 51 leading the Wolves to a strong total.

But with five wickets in the last three overs of their innings, they weren’t able to capitalise on the strong start they way they wanted to.

Captain Sean Neal says his Wolves men were beaten by a better side on the day, despite going unbeaten throughout the round robin.

“We just weren’t good enough with the ball and they were very good with the bat.

“After the first innings we knew we had to bowl well, but we didn’t think it would go that bad.

“We tried everything.”

Ollie says despite the performance being outstanding, you never know how the cookie is going to crumble in the short format.

“When you look at the scoreboard it feels comprehensive, but in 20-20 cricket it’s never comprehensive.

“You feel equally under threat and comfortable, right until that last ball.”

Ollie says the game started well with Martin Slabbert and Hamish Blomfield exceptional with the ball before the Restieaux’s took over.

“They were outstanding. Ronan paced his innings so well at the top of the order and Finn came in and built into the innings slowly.

“For the short time I was out there we discussed certain bowlers to target and I think he did that really well.”

Ollie also wanted to thank umpire and scorekeepers, as well as the grounds crew, saying it was special to see several of the boys make their debut on Saxton Oval.

“To be able to be able to play on Nelson’s premier ground on a night like this is a bonus. Out there having fun with your mates.”