United stay in playoff race

United pulled off a thrilling chase to keep their playoff hopes alive in the latest round of the club cricket competition.

United beat Freyberg by one wicket in the final over at Manawaroa Park on Sunday, despite a century from Freyberg batsman Charles Parker.

There is one more round of the competition remaining before the playoffs. Old Boys have already secured one of the three spots, but another win in the final round will put them straight through to the final.

Second-placed Freyberg, Marist in third and United in fourth are all still a chance to qualify.

Freyberg batted first against United on Sunday and scored 229-7 from their 50 overs. Opener Parker scored his third ton of the season with 120 from 133 balls, hitting two sixes and 15 fours.

Parker added 76 runs for the third wicket with captain Luke Murray, who made 19, then a partnership of 40 with No 8 Josh Morris, who scored 25 not out, before Parker was out from the bowling of seamer Sonpreet Singh. Ali Akhter was also unbeaten on 22.

Singh and spinners Braden Rowe and Hayden Hill all took two wickets each.

In reply, United put on a steady opening stand of 103 before Ben Roberts was out for 38. His opening partner Robbie James carried on though and provided the backbone of the medium pacer Gurpeet Singh.

Boys’ High, who are also competing at the national secondary schools finals in Palmerston North this week, batted first and were in early trouble after opening Palmerston bowlers Russell Swindells and Matt Gregory knocked the top off.

James Stratton’s 28 was the best offering of the top six as the schoolboys were teetering at 103-8 in the 25th over.

But Love and Harris joined together for a 133-run partnership for the ninth wicket, giving them a total of 245, as they were all out with a ball remaining.

Harris was out for 62 from 80 balls in the 49th over and Love was out in the next over for 72 from 76 balls.

Harris’ previous best score for the first XI was 19.

Singh ripped out the middle and lower order for Palmerston, producing some cracker yorkers, and he finished with 5-28 from 10 overs. Swindells had 3-55.

In Palmerston’s chase they made a solid start with opener Gourav Aheer’s 34 and No 3 Kane Russell’s 39 taking them to 47-1.

But once those two were gone, none of the Palmerston batsman hung in. No 4 Swindells was unbeaten on 15.

Martin starred with the ball for Boys’ High. Back from injury and playing his first game of the season, Martin’s left-arm offspin engineered the collapse.

Palmerston were dismissed for 167 in the 43rd over.

Ben O’connor chipped in with 2-37 with his spin.