Hughes sets up win over Palmerston
United have their second century-maker of the season as Mason Hughes led them to an eight-wicket win over Palmerston.
Rep batsman Hughes scored 116 not out to chase down Palmerston’s total of 191 in 24.4 overs at Manawaroa Park on Saturday.
Hughes opened the batting and dined out on an inexperienced Palmerston bowling attack. He carried his bat as United reached 193-2 in time for an early smoko.
He had help from century-maker from a fortnight ago Ma’ara Ave, who scored 33, and Hayden Hill, unbeaten on 31.
Palmerston medium pacer Dan Batley took one of the two United wickets to fall when he trapped Ave lbw. The other was a runout.
Earlier Palmerston were dismissed for 191 in the 47th over.
United medium pacer Greg Berry was the best of their bowlers with 3-20, while Manpreet Singh and Nathan Hill took two wickets apiece.
Rob Sheary scored 40 and Sunny Bains made 47 for the red caps.
Old Boys have taken the competition lead after three rounds following a 22-run win over Marist.
Marist were chasing Old Boys’ total of 163 and were in a solid position at 100-6 with Floyd na Nagara and Navin Patel at the wicket.
But Old Boys medium pacer Tim Richards came back in his second spell to break the partnership and they mopped up the rest of the Marist tail.
Na Nagara was out for 36 and Patel for 25. Connor Morriss had earlier scored 28.
Richards snared 3-36 and Jayden Richards returned figures of 4-20.
Old Boys were in trouble during their innings until batsman Villi Tosi came in at No 7. Tosi survived being dropped and scored 61 to give them a competitive total.
Matt Borren scored 21 at No 4 and Jack Wilson chipped in with 23 at No 8.
Marist spinner Arana Noema-barnett took 3-28, while seamers Dylan Lynch and Patel took two wickets each.
Marist were without batsman Dave Meiring, who had a calf injury.
Palmerston 191 (Sunny Bains 47, Rob Sheary 40; Greg Berry 3-20, Manpreet Singh 2 wkts, Nathan Hill 2 wkts) lost to
United 193-2 (Mason Hughes 116*, Ma’ara Ave 33, Hayden Hill 31*) by eight wickets.
Old Boys 163 (Villi Tosi 61, Jack Wilson 23, Matt Borren 21; Arana Noema-barnett 3-48, Dylan Lynch 2-27, Navin Patel 2-32) beat Marist 131 (Floyd na Nagara 36, Connor Morriss 28, Patel 25; Jayden Richards 4-20, Tim Richards 3-36) by 22 runs
Next week: Marist v United, Palmerston v Freyberg, Old Boys v Boys’ High.