Much-improved Waikoikoi turn tables to book spot in final

Waikoikoi are the first team to lock in a spot in Southland club cricket’s ILT Premier League final after pipping Marist in playoff action on Saturday.

Waikoikoi and Marist topped the table after round-robin play and squared off on Saturday for the direct route to the March 28 decider.

A week earlier Waikoikoi lost to Marist by 10 wickets but on Saturday they produced a much better performance.

Waikoikoi posted 183 for eight batting first with Nick Reed and Jamie Chittock playing a key role in the lower order.

Their side were 137 for eight when the pair joined each other in the middle.

Reed (40 not out) and Chittock (25 not out) put on an unbeaten 46 runs from 31 balls for the ninth wicket which pushed Waikoikoi through to a competitive 183.

The Marist spin trio of Jeremy Boyle, Mitch Harvey and Jason Milne each took two wickets.

Marist were in a strong position at 62 for one from 12.3 overs before Hamish Cooke struck the key blow when he removed Shaun Fitzgibbon caught and bowled for 12.

Marist then wobbled to be 126 for eight.

Matt McCall (49) and Josh Fitzgibbon (20) showed some resistance and got Marist within striking distance before Marist lost their last wicket at 167 to fall 16 runs short.

Marist, however, get a second life given they finished in the top two in round-robin play. They will now take on Appleby this Saturday for the other spot in the final.

Appleby kept their season alive with a nine-run win over Southland Boys’ High School.

Appleby produced a modest 163 batting first thanks largely to Kieran Lloyd’s knock of 57.

Southland Boys’ High’s chase was rocked early when they were reduced to 26 for four with Connor Hart taking three of the wickets.

The pupils showed some fight through the likes of Ian de Reuck (37) and Blair McKenzie (30) but were eventually bowled out for 154.