Conway’s tons of runs lifts Firebirds

Devon Conway scored his fourth century of the domestic summer yesterday, helping to boost the defending champion Wellington Firebirds’ Ford Trophy finals chances.

His innings of 112 off 89 balls set the Firebirds up to make 293-5 in a match that was reduced to 46 overs per side, and the Central Stags got nowhere near it.

The Stags scratched their way to 63-4 at the halfway stage, with Kieran NoemaBarnett playing the lone hand. Needing 10 an over for the rest of their innings, they were always going to find it difficult, and when Noema-Barnett went for 68 off 95, any hopes they had were gone.

Andrew Fletcher had the Firebirds off to a strong start, making 70 off 94 balls, while Fraser Colson brought them home, blazing an unbeaten 59 off 25 balls.

The 118-run bonus-point win lifted the Firebirds up to second on the ladder, behind the Auckland Aces, but they have Canterbury, the Otago Volts and Northern Districts hot on their heels.

At the Basin Reserve, Wellington: Wellington Firebirds 293-5 (Devon Conway 112, Andrew Fletcher 70, Fraser Colson 51no) beat the Central Stags 175 all out (Kieran Noema-Barnett 68; Michael Bracewell 3-30, Ben Sears 3-42) by 118 runs.

Canterbury and Otago met at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, and it was the Volts who prevailed by 23 runs, denying their hosts the chance to secure a spot in the top three.

Dean Foxcroft’s innings of 72 off 87 balls was the standout performance as the Volts made 253-8 from their 50 overs, with Neil Broom (51 off 84) and Anaru Kitchen (48 off 39) providing solid support.

Will Williams took 3-51 for Canterbury, who made a good fist of their chase.

At 190-5 in the 42nd over, they were looking likely, but Matt Bacon got the crucial wicket of Cam Fletcher (37 off 34) and Canterbury crumbled to be all out for 230.

At Hagley Oval, Christchurch: Otago Volts 253-8 (Dean Foxcroft 72, Neil Broom 51, Anaru Kitchen 48; Will Williams 3-51) beat Canterbury 230 all out (Andrew Ellis 44, Cam Fletcher 37; Jacob Duffy 5-38) by 23 runs.

Auckland had effectively locked up top spot – and hosting rights for next Sunday’s final – prior to the ninth round of matches, but slumped to a 63-run defeat against Northern Districts in Whangarei.

Northern youngster Katene Clarke made 69 off 79 balls opening the batting, the highest score of his fledgling career, while useful contributions from Peter Bocock (42 off 56), Brett Hampton (57 off 57), and Joe Walker (25 off 32) helped them post 237.

Aces seamer Ben Lister took a career-best haul 6-51 as Northern were bowled out with nine balls remaining, but his batting-inclined team-mates didn’t hold up their end of the bargain.

Black Cap Colin Munro made 40, but noone else passed 30 as the Aces crumbled to be all out for 174.

At Cobham Oval, Whangarei: Northern Districts 237 all out (Katene Clarke 69, Brett Hampton 57, Peter Bocock 42; Ben Lister 6-51) beat the Auckland Aces 174 (Colin Munro 40; Jake Gibson 5-31) by 63 runs.