Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Wairau big winners as season ends
Wairau were the big winners on finals day last Saturday taking out both the division 1 and division 2 trophies of the SBS Bank 40-over competition.
Hunter Ruffell led Wairau to victory in the division 1 final, taking 3-25 as Renwick were dismissed for 157 before hitting an unbeaten 60 to chase the total down with 15 overs to spare. Rikki Bovey (31), Piers Landon-Lane (46) and Richard O’Shaughnessy (33) all made starts for Renwick without pushing on to a significant score on a good batting pitch.
The division 2 final was a closer affair, with Wairau defending 186 to win by 17 runs. Josh Harris (75no) and Billy Hurren (35) were the main scorers for Wairau, Ollie Kennedy (3-36) and John Diamanti (3-31) bowling well for Celtic. Dave Kennedy kept Celtic in the game with 42 before being the last wicket to fall to James Crowe (3-28).
The final round of WK 4th grade cricket saw some more strong performances including; Reon Holdaway (46 & 3-10), Jayden Mitchell (36), Cerys Lawson (3-14), Filippa Palm (18), Harry McKendry (4-10), Billy Hurren (68), Josh Gleeson (50 & 3-12), Ryan Merwood (3-16), Aaron Sweet (3-12), Joseph Gilhooly (51), Hunter Wong (39), Ned Bell (2-17), Lachie Cooney (31), Harry Nailer (3-11).
Fionn Heagney was awarded the Eric Shattock trophy at the junior prizegiving that followed, while Beau Clouston was the recipient of the Gleeson Family shield. Other junior awards were: Ewan Stephenson Trophy, Kyle Buckley; Morton Cup, Harry McKendry; UCVC sportsmanship award, Zora Suleiman,; Gregor Fair Play Cup (5th grade), Renwick Rockets; Rhoades Fairplay trophy (4th grade), WV Weapons; Girls Grade Fairplay trophy , Celtic.
At the Senior awards, Andrew McCaa was named men’s cricketer of the year while Eden Pettigrew was the women’s award winner. Both made Central Districts representative teams this summer, with Andrew playing for CD over-40s at the national tournament while Eden made selection for the CD A Women’s team.
Others to receive higher honours this season included Stella Cornelius (CD U17s), who received the award for most improved female (U17); and Greg Stretch, who will represent NZ O50s at this week’s International quad series in Blenheim. Nathan Brooke-Taylor received three awards: the Stretch Family Cup for U17 player of the year, the Knowles Cup for U21 player of the
year and the Vern Payne Memorial Cup chosen by the MCA umpires.
Other award winners on the night were Brenna Nation (Queen Carnival Cup), Corey Bovey (Men’s Rep batting and Greg Stretch medal), Fenella Cooney (most promising female U15), Max Rufell (U15 player of year), Sam Boyce and Jaden Adams (Men’s rep bowling), Carley Englefield (Women’s rep batting), Eden Pettigrew (rep bowling), Vicky Underwood (rep fielding).
Andrew McCaa led the way in senior grade batting with 696 runs at 77.33 while Piers Landon-Lane was the leading bowler with 27 wickets at 20.11. Wairau CC won the Rudd Shield for leading club across Senior, 2nd and 3rd grades.
WV Chicks were winners of the Women’s Social cricket league, while the LBWs were named social team of the year. Another successful summer of Churchill Private Hospital social cricket wrapped up with a fantastic festival day on Sunday with 8 teams enjoying the beautiful weather at Horton Park.
The 2023-24 season ends this week with Horton Park hosting an international O50s quad series featuring teams from New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Games start at 10.30am and are scheduled for Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday so come along and see some high quality cricket action to round off a busy summer.