Trophy series to start on Sunday

It’s taken a bit of a tweak but starting Sunday the Top of the South Kelvin Scoble Trophy is being reprised as a round robin competition for Nelson and Marlborough premier club cricketers.

Donated by former Marlborough and Nelson representative allrounder Kelvin Scoble, the trophy was first introduced in 2007 as an interprovincial one-day club series, with Blenheim’s Wairau club the inaugural winners.

While it ran as a regular competition for the next five seasons, it reverted to a one-off contest three seasons ago to determine which team would represent the top of the south at the annual Central Districts club finals in Palmerston North.

This season though it’s been reinstated as a full-blown weekly series involving Nelson’s six premier club sides and two composite Marlborough teams made up of their various club sides.

Blenheim’s Wairau, Wairau Valley and United Country Vineyard clubs have combined to form the Falcons in a near representative-strength lineup, while Celtic, Renwick and Picton have united under the Dolphins’ banner.

Marlborough teams have won five of the previous nine titles, Wairau leading the way with three. The Marlborough Academy and Celtic have also won the title, while Nelson’s Stoke Nayland club have won twice and Waimea Toi Toi United and Athletic College Old Boys once each as Nelson’s four title successes.

In Sunday’s opening round, Stoke Nayland have the chance to immediately atone for last weekend’s 14-run loss at Brightwater when they host Wanderers at the Marsden Rec.

Wakatu will also host WTTU at Victory Square, with Nelson College and ACOB scheduled to meet at the Botanics. The games will also double as round six of the Nelson premier 50-over competition.

Meanwhile at Blenheim’s Horton Park, the Falcons will meet the Dolphins in their local derby clash.

The final is scheduled for Saturday, April 1.