Jones cracks unbeaten double ton
A magnificent unbeaten double century by Wanderers’ batsman Evan Jones provided the substance if not the desired result in their draw with Wakatu in round seven of the Car Company Nelson premier 110-over club series.
The South African allrounder scored a stunning 203 not out to dominate Wanderers’ total of 307-9 declared against Wakatu at Brightwater on Saturday before the home team eventually ended their reply at 211-7 after 52 overs.
Jones’ remarkable effort was the foundation of Wanderers’ innings, with former Nelson College wicketkeeper-batsman Alistair King providing the next highest score of 25, including an 81-run sixth-wicket stand with Jones.
It was easily Jones’ best score of the season, having transferred from Blenheim’s Renwick club this year to link up with the Brightwater-based club.
His previous best offerings had included 87 runs for Nelson against Horowhenua-Kapiti at October’s Chapple Cup tournament in Napier and a 65-run contribution in Wanderers’ fourth round loss to Stoke Nayland. But there was no stopping him on Saturday as the tall right-hander hammered 16 fours and 13 sixes off 153 balls, having entered the fray at 11-1 in fourth over.
Big half centuries by openers Devon Serrurier (65) and Jared Exeter (90) provided early indications of Wakatu’s intent as they attempted to negotiate their formidable target.
Their 115-run opening stand provided the necessary framework, Serrurier facing 88 balls and hitting eight fours, while Exeter’s eventually went at 193-4, having faced 124 balls and hitting 10 fours and two sixes.
But despite a steady loss of wickets, the two openers had done enough to at least deny Wanderers the win as a frustrated Wanderers attack unsuccessfully attempted to wrap up the innings.
Meanwhile, Felix Murray’s return coincided with Athletic College Old Boys’ most competitive effort of the season as they also held unbeaten competition leaders Stoke Nayland to a draw at the Botanics.
Named in the Central Districts A side during the week, Murray returned from his studies in Palmerston North to take 5-55 in his 14 overs of left-arm spin to help dismiss Stoke Nayland for 243 before scoring 51 runs in ACOB’s reply of 205-9.
Murray was also involved in a 97-run eight-wicket stand with Reuben Smith who fell just one run short of a half century when he edged Ili Tugaga at 201-9 in the 59th over with 42 runs still needed for victory.
Seemingly content to settle for the draw and avoid a sixth straight loss, Liam Baird and Matt Grimes were both left unbeaten on one after the day’s 110 overs with the home team still 39 runs shy of their target.
Stoke Nayland were forced to dig deep after their captain Brendan Hodgson had earlier topscored with 68 off 66 balls to help avert any further distractions after slumping to 77-5.
Hodgson and Tugaga (33) compiled a solid 43 runs together before Tugaga’s departure, Hodgson eventually falling at 188-7 as a late 31-run rally by Symon Carr helped push the total through to 243 off 47.3 overs.
Ben Gully hinted at a return to form with 40 runs in ACOB’s reply, leaving Murray and Smith to stage their ultimately futile late fightback as Tugaga (2-38), Carr (2-23) and Darius Skeaping (2-14) chipped away.
A five-wicket haul by offspinner Josh Simpson has helped steer Nelson College to an unlikely 25-run win over Waimea Toi Toi United in a low-scoring contest at Jubilee Park.
With College defending a minimal 92-run total, Simpson opened the bowling with seamer Thomas Zohrab to finish with 5-24 off his 14 overs as the home team eventually crumbled for 67 in the 35th over of their reply.
Missing key players Tom Ingham and Jon Routhan, WTTU never looked comfortable in their chase with only No 8 batsman Doug Seward offering any real resistance with an innings high 27 runs, including four of the team’s eight boundaries.
Thomas Zohrab also chimed in with three wickets, removing WTTU’s top three batsmen as Simpson steadily chipped away at WTTU’s middle order.
Earlier, matching 17-run innings from both Thomas Zohrab and Nic Clark provided the only real substance to the students’ innings with Fergus Murray (13) the only other batsman to reach double figures.
Opening seamer Josh Newport led WTTU’s bowling effort with 4-21 to help dismiss College for 92 off 47.5 overs. However, with Simpson at the helm, the College bowlers proved even more effective.