Premier cricket enters business end
Cameron Neame celebrates after picking up one of his three wickets for Stoke-Nayland as they fell just short of Wolves (Wanderers/Motueka) in a top of the table clash. Photo: Chris Symes/Shuttersport.
It was a weekend of high scoring action in local premier grade cricket as teams fought for their spot in the one-day finals.
The lowest score of the weekend was 204 runs as every team had nail biting finishes to their games on Saturday.
At the Botanics, Nelson College came out trumps over ACOB with a last wicket stand of 39 runs by George Aerakis (41*) and Charlie Wilson (27*) to get over the line in the final over.
In a top of the table clash at Marsden Recreation, Stoke-Nayland fell 40 runs short of the Wolves (Motueka/Wanders) 265/7, using every ball of their 50 overs in chase after a massive 121 run innings from Joseph O’Connor in the first innings.
While Wakatu won by one wicket at the death over WTTU at Jubilee Park, with a 40-run last wicket partnership by Aidan Clark (25*) and Noah Hassan (20*) as they chased 244/7.
With seven half centuries and Joseph’s century, it was the best weekend for batsmen of the summer.
At the bowler's end, Nelson College’s Charlie Wilson and WTTU’s Paul Elmiger were the best of the bunch with four wickets apiece as six local bowlers picked up three wicket bags or better.
With three rounds of one-day competition left in the season before the finals on Saturday and Sunday March 23 and 24, there’s still a chance for things to change on the leaderboards.
The Wolves have all but guaranteed their spot in the weekend with a perfect seven win record, but can still be upset from the top spot.
With the result not going their way over the weekend, Stoke-Nayland can still advance straight to the finals but will have to rely on results going their way if they want the direct path.
Wakatu are third on the table with four wins, but with a 2v3 semi-final they are still squarely in the hunt of their first title of the season.
ACOB and WTTU are on two wins apiece and remain outside chances of playing on finals weekend if other results also go their way, while Nelson College are out of the hunt despite earning their first one-day win of the season over the weekend.
While in the two-day competition, the finalists have been found as Stoke-Nayland and the Wolves are set to take the field at Saxton Oval on March 16 and 17 to decide a winner.