Howes leads rescue mission
The Nelson College First XI cricket team staged a remarkable recovery to secure an unlikely twowicket win over Marlborough Boys College in their one-day cricket clash at Greenmeadows on Tuesday.
In serious trouble at 2-4 chasing Marlborough’s total of 168-8, a magnificent unbeaten 83 by Paddy Howes eventually helped steer Nelson to victory at 171-8.
Marlborough won the toss and meandered to a sub-par score of 168-8 wickets in their 50 overs. While Ma’ara Ave hit five fours in a polished innings of 51 and Harrison Boyce and Heath Murphy both played good support roles, there was a lack of urgency throughout the visitors’ efforts.
The Nelson bowlers were all shown respect and, while none dominated by taking a bag of wickets, all went for less than three runs an over. The fourpronged spin attack kept things very much in check.
The mediocre total of 168 however very soon took on gargantuan proportions as Nelson were reeling at 2-4 after two overs.
Harry MacDonald followed on from his fine form of MBC’s previous D’Arcy Cup win over Nelson College by sending shock waves through the home team’s ranks with an accurate spell of medium pace deliveries, allied to some questionable shot selection by the Nelson batsmen.
Sam Berkett and Howes steadied the ship but, with the loss of Berkett and another couple of wickets, all seemed lost with the total at 105-8.
Enter young Jarod McKay, yet to score a run for the First XI, who joined the already well-established Howes as the game gradually began to swing the home team’s way.
Howes cleverly farmed the strike and McKay defiantly defended as the total was methodically counted down.
McKay finally loosened up and clobbered three boundaries and the pressure was off.
Howes’ fine innings included 12 boundaries and a six to confirm his player of the match standing.
While Nelson avenged their D’Arcy Cup defeat, Marlborough were left with some soul searching before their Gillette Cup playoffs in Palmerston North.