Marist women win big in final
A devastating spell of swing bowling from Molly Noema-barnett led Marist to an emphatic 10-wicket win over Freyberg in the Manawatu¯ women’s club twenty20 final at Hokowhitu Park.
The 22-year-old hadn’t played since she was at Palmerston North Girls’ High School, but came back for this year’s women’s competition and made her presence felt at the right time in Saturday’s final.
Noema-barnett and spinner CJ Kane devastated Freyberg, dismissing them for just 27 in 6.2 overs. Then Marist made short work of the chase, reaching 28-0 in 5.3 overs.
The two sides had played in the last round-robin match and Freyberg won by three runs, so they were expecting another tight game.
But this time Noema-barnett’s swing bowling was too much for Freyberg and she captured 5-8 from 3.2 overs. Three of her victims were bowled.
‘‘It was exciting. Everyone was behind us. Once we got about two [wickets] they started crumbling.’’
It was her best bowling figures and first time she’s taken five wickets.
Kane’s spin was dangerous too as she took 3-19 from three overs.
Aside from opener Courtney Infield’s 14, there were no scores in double figures and there were five ducks.
In Marist’s chase, Kate Henderson made 16 not out and Nicole Thessman 9 not out
In the playoffs for minor spots, Palmerston North Girls’ High School (125-5) beat United (122-4) by five wickets to finish third and Feilding (132-3) beat Dannevirke (45) by 87 runs to finish fifth.
In the men’s competition, the 50-over semifinalists have been found, where top qualifiers United will play Marist, who finished fourth, and second-placed Freyberg play third-placed Palmerston North Boys’ High School.
Marist beat Feilding by four wickets at Manawaroa Park, to secure a place in the semifinals.
Feilding were bowled out for 139 in the 48th over, with Marist seamers Matt Wells, who took four wickets, and Connor Morriss, who took three wickets, ripping through them.
Freyberg and Boys’ High played a preview of the semifinal, with Freyberg winning by 54 runs.
Freyberg were bowled out for 167 in 44.2 overs, with Thomas Kuggeleijn’s 68 at No 5 the best effort with the bat. Opener Thomas Walshe’s 19 was the next best.
Boys’ High seamer Jonty Fleck was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-22, and spinner Regan Fleming took 3-40, while seamer Jett Donald-charnley took two wickets.
In reply the schoolboys were dismissed for 113 in the 32nd over. They were quickly in trouble at 0-2, but made a recovery through Jaiden Meyer and Fleck, with 24 and 20, respectively.
They were dismissed and then Freyberg spinner Harry Wenham and medium pacer Bryn Wilson knocked over the rest of the batting order.
Palmerston all-rounder Rob Sheary smashed a rapid century as the red caps beat an understrength Old Boys by six wickets.
Both sides were out of playoff contention, so played a twenty20 match.
Sheary pumped 122 not out from just 62 balls, hitting six fours and 11 sixes, to get Palmerston to 173-4 in 18 overs.
There were no other major contributions, but there didn’t need to be, as Sheary hit the Old Boys bowlers to all parts.
Earlier, Old Boys’ opener Rowan Holland made 52 and No 5 Stephen Bennett smacked 50 not out from 27 balls, putting on 83 runs with Joseph Ward, who made 27 not out.
United had the bye.