Marist snare semifinal spot

Marist forced their way into the two-day semifinals after Seamus O’reilly scored his maiden premier one century.

Marist beat Old Boys on first innings at Manawaroa Park on Saturday to climb into first place in their pool and qualify for the semifinals, and Old Boys miss out.

Marist will play the secondplaced team from the other pool, Palmerston, in this weekend’s semifinals and the other top qualifiers, United, will play Freyberg in the other semifinal.

Last week Marist scored 229-5 batting first and went on to make 371-6 declared.

Floyd na Nagara was on 85 not out last week and went on to make 98 before he was out caught behind, just short of a ton.

But O’reilly carried on from 30 not out last week. He was timing it nicely and scored 108 not out. Jacob Edmonds made 42 not out.

Marist declared at 371-6 and then bowled Old Boys out for 220. Paceman Matt Wells took four wickets and Connor Morriss two.

Dan Barr held out for Old Boys with 52.

Rearguard efforts from Gurpreet Singh and Rob Sheary helped Palmerston avoid an outright defeat against United, who won on first innings.

United had bowled Palmerston out for just 45 last week and finished the day at 134-4, so were pushing for an outright win.

But seamer Singh made sure United didn’t go on to a massive total, taking 6-88 from 18.4 overs as United were all out for 283 in 60.4 overs for a lead of 238 runs.

Robbie James top scored with 90 before being bowled by Singh and Ben O’connor was the next best with 33.

In Palmerston’s second innings, No 4 Sheary came to the crease in the ninth over, but he and Chip Latter put on a partnership of 117 runs for the third wicket.

Latter was out for 56, but Sheary went on to 109 not out from 119 balls, the first one the veteran had scored against United.

Once he had his hundred they called it a day with Palmerston at 215-4 in 49 overs.

United pace bowler Thomas Kirk, who took 6-20, bowled well again and created opportunities.

In the women’s competition,

Marist opener Nicole Thessman hit the second hundred of the women’s competition as they beat

Dannevirke by 83 runs in Dannevirke.

Thessman scored 109 not out from 69 balls to set up Marist’s first-innings total of 166-1. Gina Collis chipped in with 32 not out. There were 28 extras.

Dannevirke could then only manage 83-5 with Ella Hogan’s 25 not out the best effort at No 4.

Marist spinner Molly NoemaBarnett grabbed two wickets.

United maintained top spot with a 115-run win over Feilding at Timona Park.

United batted first and scored 186-8 with opener Abby Treder in the runs again, making 85 from 47 balls. Leesa Baker made 29 and Lydia Proffit 22. Feilding bowler Hailey Sinkinson took 3-20. There were 38 extras.