United still unbeaten in T20 trophy

The final is on tomorrow.

CRICKET: United is the only unbeaten team left in the Manawatu¯ club twenty 20 competition, after another successful weekend.

Rounds three and four of the Brent Boddy Prestige competition took place on Saturday at Manawaroa Park in Palmerston North.

In round three, United batted first against Marist and posted 165/6, thanks to 87 from opener Mason Hughes.

Mitch Renwick came out blasting for Marist, but could not find a capable partner. Renwick fell for 77 off just 44 balls and Marist came up short at 138/9.

In the other games of the round, Old Boys sent Freyberg in to bat, but were put under the pump by veteran Luke Murray, who was aggressive on his way to 62.

Freyberg posted 166/4 and in reply Old Boys came out blasting, thanks to the brilliance of their left-handed batsman Bryce Grant.

Grant was at the crease for a good time, finding the boundary nine times in his short stay, as he racked up 60.

Dane Watson made 41 as Old Boys chased the total seven down, with five balls left.

The Palmerston North Boys’ High School first XI got up over Palmerston in their chase of 97, Scott Davidson top-scoring with an unbeaten 41. Boys’ High had 5.2 overs to spare.

The penultimate round of the competition provided some thrilling matches.

Marist beat Old Boys by four runs, thanks to Floyd na Nagara’s 66 and some superb death bowling from Nav Patel.

Marist made 153/5 and Old Boys ended up six down, with Patel’s four overs going for just 19, as he picked up two wickets.

United were made to work hard in their chase against Boys’ High, who scored 101/5, led by Ruben Love with 48.

Logan Mchardy managed to get United over the line after 18.1 overs, with a composed 39 not out. They were five down.

In the final match of the day, Freyberg defeated Palmerston in a tense affair.

Batting first, Freyberg posted 191/8, in a team effort led by Tom Kuggeleijn, who scored 38.

In reply, Palmerston were always in the contest with a defiant Rob Sheary at the crease.

Sheary was left unbeaten on 75 though, as the men in red were unable to make it home, handing Freyberg the win. Palmerston finished on 154/5.

Round five is tomorrow afternoon, before the final later in the day.

■ Boys’ High drew with Auckland Grammar in their annual three-day fixture in Auckland this week, retaining the Oram Cup.

Boys’ High batted first after winning the toss, but were bowled out for 139 in 76 overs.

Grammar had even more trouble with the bat, going to stumps on day one at 39/6.

They declared on 77/6 after rain all but washed out the second day.

Boys’ High were a lot better in their second dig, this time getting bowled out for 211.

Max Harris scored 52 and Curtis Heaphy 75 from 191 balls.