Central A clinch 8-run win over Canterbury

A combined effort with the ball has allowed Central to fight off Canterbury’s advances and claim an eight-run victory in their fifth round match of the Provincial A tournament at Lincoln.

Nelson’s Greg Hay was once again inspiring with the bat, posting an unbeaten 90 to help Central finish at 241-9 after 50 overs.

In reply, Canterbury went close but fell just short and were held to 233-9. Shanan Stewart and Henry Nicholls played with caution for a start in the pursuit, having seen both their openers dismissed cheaply. Stewart in particular found the going tough at the start, but contributed a helpful 47 from 86 balls.

For the third straight game Nicholls notched up his 50, but will be frustrated to once again not have gone on to bigger things after being dismissed by Ajaz Patel on 60.

Cole McConchie (31) and Ben McCord (26) chipped in with handy cameos towards the end, but the run rate had ballooned with the constant loss of wickets and they were helpless as the home side finished less than 10 runs away from victory.

The Central bowling attack shared the wickets, but Andrew Mathieson was the leader of the group, taking three wickets in his nine overs for 48. Nelson’s Connor Neynens was again a top pick, taking two wickets for just 34 runs off nine overs.

Earlier, it had been a two-man show for Central, with Hay and opener David Meiring putting on 128 for the second wicket.

Meiring went for 75 from 90 deliveries, but Hay worked one end diligently, watching his teammates fall at the other.

Wicketkeeper Sebastian Langridge offered some support down the order with 27, but it was largely left to Hay, who remained a constant threat to the Canterbury bowlers.

In the end he finished 90 not out off 119 balls, but had it not been for his innings Central would likely have finished well short of 200.