Stoke get home via Duckworth Lewis

By Jonty Dine and Peter Jones

Rain arrived to spoil round five of the Tasman Premier League today, with Wakatu and Taylors Contracting Wanderers Motueka's scheduled clash abandoned without a ball being bowled.

A shortened match was possible between Waimea Toi Toi United and Car Company Stoke Nayland as Stoke sneaked home via the Duckworth Lewis Method.

Waimea batted first and struggled its way to 100 all out after 28.2 overs, Jack Aldridge with the only innings of substance as he reached 48.

Dylan Eginton caused most of the damage with 3/17 including two caught and bowled, while Cameron Neame and Sean Neal chipped in with two wickets apiece.

Stoke made a horror start to its chase, reduced to 36-5 as Sam Baxendine ripped through the visitor's top order.

Jared Silvester and Darius Skeaping eventually steadied the ship, as the heavens opened with Stoke at 85/6, enough to earn them a third win of the campaign.

Meanwhile in Marlborough, the Falcons comfortably accounted for Nelson College by 75 runs at Horton Park.

The Falcons batted first against College and despite the early loss of Joel Lavender and Cooper Roberts, began to string some handy partnerships together.

Cameron Collins (24 from 24) and Tarin Mason (38 from 57) put on 49, then Mason and Matthew Stretch pushed the score along to 97-4.

A last wicket 50-run unbroken partnership between Greg Stretch (16 from 34) and Sam Boyce (24 from 37) pushed the score to a very-competitive 237-9 when the 50^th over was completed.

Lucky Singh, who took 3-38 from 10, was the pick of the College bowlers.

College’s reply began promisingly, their openers adding 40 runs in the first 12 overs.

However, Joel Lavender, making a welcome return to the bowling crease, grabbed Singh’s wicket and soon the visitors were 48-3.

A 59-run fourth wicket partnership between Will Bixley (28 from 47) and Jon Routhan (52 from 83) provided hope.

But, when those two fell and the asking rate rose, College, who only fielded 10 players, struggled and were dismissed for 162 in the 46^th over.

Meanwhile, on the adjoining ground the Dolphins ran into the top-of-the-table undefeated ACOB outfit and, despite a gutsy showing, went down by four wickets.

Akhil Pant provide the bulk of the Dolphins runs as they reached 197-7 in 50 overs.

The Dolphins set about defending their mediocre target in fine fashion, pace bowler Jaden Adams bowling dangerman Thomas Zohrab with the first ball of the innings.

Jonty Raxworthy followed soon after, then, when Eden Pettigrew snared David Zohrab and Hunter Ruffell bowled Ronan Restieaux, the visitors were awkwardly situated at 107-5.

However, the asking rate was never an issue and a solid 56 from 83 balls by rep player James Graham saw them home in the 42nd over.

Adams was a standout with the ball, grabbing 4-42 from his 10 overs.