South Otago
Josh Huddleston has hit a big century to guide the Owaka Bandits to beat the Kai Kings at the Royal Landfill in Kaitangata to snatch the Challenge Cup. The sevenwicket win has also given their semifinal chances a major boost as we head towards the business end of the competition. The Kai Kings batted first and made 169 for eight in their 40 overs. Blair Benington held the innings together for his side. He batted 30 overs for his 37. Kai couldn’t maintain regular partnerships and gave wickets away too easily. Francis Parker took seasonhigh figures of five for 35 off eight overs as he ran through the Kings middle order. He was backed up brilliantly by Josh Huddleston with two for 35 off his eight. The opening pairing of Quentin Gare and Nathan White bowled very tightly and didn’t give easy runs away. In reply, Bandits opening batsman Huddletson hit an unbeaten 120 to see the visitors home with three overs to spare. Huddleston was in sublime form. He dispatched every bad ball to the boundary and timed his innings to perfection. He was ably backed up by Joel White who finished on 26 not out. White was the perfect foil for his more aggressive partner. Tony Phillips was the pick of the Kings bowlers with figures of two for 27 off eight overs.
The Waihola Swans have closed the gap on the Kings with a 77run win over the Clutha Comets at the Crab Grounds in Milton. The Swans batted first and scored a massive 279. Inform batsmen Jordie Bungard (86) and Tim Grant (84) made light work of the Clutha bowling attack. They hit 12 fours and 13 sixes between them as their partnership roared past 100. Both will be disappointed about not reaching the century mark but they set up their side beautifully. Caleb Carson took the best figures for the Comets with three wickets for 41 off 4 overs. In reply, the Comets were bowled out for 206 in the 37th over. Caleb Carson continued his good day with 80 runs. Heath Culbertson hit 40 but sadly there weren’t any more contributions of note for the Clutha side. William Kelly picked up four wickets for 50 off eight overs to help guide the Swans to victory. Dylan Bungard bowled tightly from the start, picking up figures of two for 28 off 7 overs.
The Milton King Crabs thrashed the Valley Stingers in their game played at the Wasp Nest in Tuapeka to keep their semifinal hopes alive. The home side batted first and was dismissed for 103 in the 29th over. Only three Stingers batsmen made double figures. Bevan McCall was the best of the bunch with 33. The King Crabs bowlers all returned tidy figures. Jerrym Frost took two for 21 off his eight overs. Rhys Mathieson took the same figures but off 5 overs. In reply, the travelling side chased the total down in the 16th over for the loss of only one wicket. Opener Braden Adams smashed his second halfcentury of the season to finish on 56 not out. Jerrym Frost was the only wicket to fall for 30. Captain Lachie Johnston took the wicket for his side but that was the only high point in what must have been a hard day at the office for the Stingers side.