Regional sports roundup

South Otago

FRANCIS PARKER

The Waihola Swans have given South Otago Cricket historians some homework during the Christmas break. They hammered 382 for the loss of four wickets against the Clutha Comets at the Crab Grounds in Milton. The Swans started well with a solid opening partnership between Kellan Crowie and Shannon Young. Both batsmen were in good touch, finding the boundary with ease and running well. The Swans pushed through to drinks at 124 for two with a solid platform to build on. With the score at 147 for three, Simon Smaill joined Jordie Bungard at the crease and the two batsmen put on a batting clinic. Bungard finished on 115*, his maiden century for the Swans. Smaill finished on 131*, also his maiden century. The Waihola score was helped along by some woeful Comets fielding, upwards of 12 catches going ground, according to reports. As for the Clutha bowlers, there was not much to get excited about, but 15yearold Keelan Smith picked up two wickets for 50 runs off his allotted overs.

In reply, Clutha managed a respectable 236 for 9 off its 40 overs. It was always going to be a mammoth effort for the Comets to chase down the target but they put in a solid effort. Keelan Smith starred with the bat, making 91 runs in an impressive innings. He hit 11 fours and a six to be dismissed agonisingly short of his century. Tyler Bichan (26), Daniel Sutherland (23) and Jared Crawford (23) all had useful cameos.

Dylan Bungard was the best of the Swans bowlers, returning five for 52 off eight overs. Craig Gordon took two for 38 off eight.

The Owaka Bandits will start the new year on top of the table after they beat Kai by five wickets at the Royal Landfill in Kaitangata. The Kings batted first and made 182, all out in the 36th over. Kai’s opening pair of William Casey and Jack Dent put on 71 for the first wicket, which fell just before drinks. Both batsmen nudged the ball around and ran well. Kai went into drinks one down for 77. Owaka’s bowlers kept on top of their opposition after drinks and were helped by two calamitous run outs. First William Casey and then danger man Pat McKenna were run out in the space of two overs, leaving their side with some work to do. Captain Mark Shepherd steadied the ship and was the shining light as his batting partners fell around him. He was dismissed for 41 towards the end of the innings. For Owaka, Mike Beeby took two great catches to keep the pressure firmly on the Kai batsmen. Farhan Ali was the best of the Bandits’ bowlers with three for 27 off four overs. Opening bowler Nathan White failed to take a wicket but bowled extremely well to go for only 21 off his eight.

In reply, the Bandits chased the score down in the 33rd over, narrowly missing the bonus point. Opening batsman Jeremy Gray finished on 81 not out, hitting seven fours and four sixes. Gray amassed several useful partnerships along the way and cameos from Steve Clarke (30), Francis Parker (27) and Stu Kelly (16) helped reel in the total. The wickets were spread around the Kai team. Jason Young was the most economical, taking one for 17 off six overs.

The Milton King Crabs narrowly beat the Valley Stingers at the Wasp Nest at Tuapeka. The Crabs batted first and made 248 all out in the 29th over. Dylan Greer topscored with 82. He was helped out by Phil Scott, who smashed six fours and two sixes on his way to 44. Braden Adams was next best with 32. Bevan McCall took three for 49 from eight for the home side.

In reply, Valley could not chase the runs down and was dismissed for 243, six runs short of the target. It lost both openers early, but a solid partnership from Dave McCall (60) and Mike Johnston (55) steadied the ship. Some middleorder wickets were quickly lost before bowling allrounder Jonny May brought the scores down to the wire. He was superb in his innings of 45*, but ran out of partners.

Greg Webber took two for 18 off eight overs for Milton and Phil Scott took two wickets, as did captain Ben Cameron.

Central Otago

MALCOLM JONES

Albion, Queenstown and Maniototo all had wins in the senior section in the latest round of the Vincent Cricket T20 competition, while the Queenstown Zephyr and Queenstown Wakatipu sides beat their Dunstan High School counterparts in the reserve section.

Batting first at home in Cromwell, the local side posted 106 for the loss of six wickets. Mark Know was the main contributor with 55 until he was forced to retire hurt, and Sam Pimm got through to 13. Cam Fawkner took two for 10. Albion chased the target down with Fawkner there at the end on 50 not out, well supported by Nick Atkinson on 30. The side finished with 107 for three. Regan Hucklebridge bowled well to take one for 19.

Blacks Hill travelled to Queenstown, batted first and compiled 84 for nine. Tom Hutton topscored with 30. Swaran Sandhu took three for nine off his four overs and Angus Herron three for 14. The Queenstown side lost seven wickets for a total of 87, with Fraser Wilson finishing the match on 42 not out. Angus Dykes stood out, taking five for nine off four overs.

Oturehua was host for a close game of T20 between Maniototo and Molyneux. The visitors batted first and knocked up 146 for seven, with Jonny Keene (59) and Tim McCormick (42) scoring the bulk of the runs. Kieran Parker took three for 23 to be the best of the hometeam bowlers.

Maniototo chased hard and ended on 150 for five to complete a good win. Angus Gibb with 71 not out topscored for the home side, while Matt Holmes with 23 added valuable runs. Former Black Cap Shayne O’Connor with two for 21 made the Maniototo side work hard for its victory.

Dunstan High School First X1 batted first at home in its game against the Queenstown Wakatipu side. Captain Duncan Dykes (63 not out) scored exactly half its runs as it finished on 126 for four wickets. The Queenstown side reached its target, 127 for the loss of six wickets, with two balls to spare. Gabe White topscored with 38.

Queenstown Zephyr (158 for eight) completed a convincing 84run win over the Dunstan High School Second X1 (74 for five) at the DHS ground.

North Otago

TERRY O’NEILL

Albion set Union the task of scoring 244 runs in 50 overs, a task that Union coped with easily, passing the total with eight overs remaining and three wickets in hand.

Albion, batting first, was bowled out for 244.

There was some strong batting from Albion individuals. Dylan Winter made a strong 87 and received solid support from Regan George (78).

Bowling for Union, Mason James claimed four for 44 and Phil Crossan chimed in with four for 63.

Tom Dempster (89) led the Union chase, backed up by James (47), Dan Martin (23) and Glynn Cameron (22).

Sam Fleming and Ricky Whyte took two wickets each for Albion.

Some fine batting backed up by some big hitting took Valley to 244 for nine in its 50 overs against Oamaru at Weston Park.

Francois Mostert (46) and Campbell Leckie (41) provided the solidity, while Cameron Grubb (65) added the icing.

Bowling for Oamaru, Jordan Horrell took two for 27 and Matt Murphy two for 52.

Oamaru was dismissed for 135. Craig Smith (60) played the anchor role while Grubb completed a fine double, taking six for 30.

Bowls

The Awamoa club will represent North Otago in the national men’s sevens to be played in Alexandra next month.

In the playoffs in Oamaru yesterday, Awamoa clearly took first place with 15 points, ahead of Phoenix with nine points and a differential of minus four ahead of Meadowbank with nine points.

Phoenix will represent women bowlers in North Otago with 12 points and a differential of plus eighteen ahead of Meadowbank and Awamoa.

In the men’s B grade finals, which will be played at Clyde next month, Meadowbank will represent North Otago with 24 points and a differential of plus 36, from Phoenix (19 points), Awamoa (13), Maheno (nine) and Otematata (six).