NPOB make light work of struggling FDMC

Round two of the Revital Fertilisers Premier One Day cricket competition was played over the weekend.

The game of the round and the ‘‘Battle Of The South’’ with Stratford hosting Hawera unfortunately didn’t eventuate with the nightmare weather playing havoc with the covers.

Both teams turned up to find the covers half blown off. It was agreed to give the ground time to dry but by mid-afternoon both captains and umpires decided to abandon the game.

The top of the table clash between NPMU and Woodleigh went the way of the defending champs NPMU. Woodleigh won the toss and elected to bowl first.

NPMU openers Dean Robinson and Ryan Fleming started well, particularly Fleming, who was very aggressive on anything loose.

Both openers departed within an over of each other and the NPMU innings was then built around a 112-run partnership by Kurt Leuthart (44) and Jarred Cunningham (68).

NPMU were eventually bowled out with an over to spare for 247.

Mitchell Proffitt was the pick of the bowlers, picking up five wickets, and Taylor Williams proving hard to get away with 2 for 25 off his 9.

In reply, Woodleigh got off to the worst possible start with young Jesse Vertongen being caught off the first ball of the third over without a run on the board.

From then on Woodleigh were always behind the run rate and lost wickets regularly to be bowled out for 200, Mitchell Proffitt capping off a good allround game top scoring with 44 and Ryan Watson picking up 4 wickets.

NPOB go to the top of the table with their second consecutive bonus point victory. This time they made light work of a struggling FDMC side.

FDMC batted first and were all out for a paltry 34, with 5 ducks among the scoreboard. It was only Shay Smith (14) who reached double figures.

In reply, NPOB took 7.2 overs to score the winning runs.

In the final match Inglewood proved too tough for NPBHS with a 102-run victory. The victory was set up by Brent Stevens, who made 82 at the top of the order and allowed Inglewood to post 217 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs.

Jack Parker picked up 5 for 29 of his 10 overs.

In reply, the school side struggled to get any momentum and were eventually dismissed for 115 in 36 overs.

NPOB and Inglewood lead the way on 10 points, NPMU 9, Woodleigh 5, Hawera and Stratford 2 with the school sides yet to register a point.

This week’s matches:

NPMU v NPOB; Inglewood v Woodleigh; Stratford v FDMC; Hawera v NPBHS