Harris the hat-trick hero

Cameron Harris was the hat-trick hero as United celebrated back-toback wins in Manawatu club twenty20 cricket on Saturday.

Harris grabbed a hat-trick in the side’s 31-run over Palmerston North Boys’ High during the sixth over en route to figures of 4/5.

His effort followed United setting 145/6 in the first innings with Hayden Hill top scoring with 34.

Harris tore apart the Boys’ High middle order, but James Stratton provided some resistance batting at No 7 as he pitched in with 44 not out.

But their chase finished short as they were stranded on 114/8 after 20 overs.

In United’s other match of the day, they hammered Palmerston by 164 runs.

Once again batting first, Manpreet Singh (40) and Mason Hughes (65) set the tone with an opening wicket partnership of 54.

Ma’ara Ave pitched in with 58 as they blazed their way to 255/8

from their 20 overs.

Palmerston’s chase never got them close. Rob Sheary’s 50 not out from 44 balls was the best from an innings that stalled at 91/5 after 20 overs.

Harris took 2/13 as he continued his impressive day with the ball.

Boys’ High also lost their other

match with Freyberg picking up a six wicket win.

Boys’ High batted first getting 105/7 with Stratton and Bryn Wilson both top-scoring with 26 apiece.

Caleb Gaylard’s 3/13 were the best bowling figures.

It took Freyberg 19 overs to chase the total.

Luke Murray (48*) and Bevan Small (30) ensured it was a relatively painless chase.

Freyberg had earlier beaten Marist by 54 runs.

Batting first, Dane Cleaver and Whetu na Nagara settled in for an extended stint at the crease.

Cleaver eventually fell for 84, leaving na Nagara not out for 49 and Small not out for 29 as they set 171/1 in 20 overs.

Marist’s response started well with Dave Meiring picking up 37, but other than Connor Moriss (21) and Hugh Symes (29) there was little support. They finished up 117/8. It was a down day for Marist as they also lost Old Boyds by five wickets.

They set 135/5 in the first innings thanks to 50 from Meiring and 46 not out from Symes.

But with just two balls to spare, Old Boys chased down the total with Henry Collier retiring on 51 and Trent Mcgrath adding 43.