Astle shines as OBC inch closer to title

Offspinner Ryan Astle nabbed four wickets in his milestone cap match as Old Boys Collegians edged closer to their first Christchurch Metro two-day premier title.

Astle, the older brother of Canterbury all-rounder Todd Astle, took 4-53 in his 20th two-day match for OBC against St Albans in final round action on Saturday.

OBC, who have a 12-point lead in the standings, are well placed for first innings points, getting through to 156-5 at stumps, in reply to Saints’ 198.

Rivals, second placed Burnside West Christchurch University, and Riccarton, who sit third, saw their title chances all but disappear, after being frustrated in their bid for outrights.

They both need convincing victories and OBC to lose emphatically if they are any chance to leapfrog them on the ladder.

OBC are attempting to complete a club cricket double, by adding the two-day silverware to the one-day title they captured in December.

The Elmwood Park-based club haven’t won the two-day title since High School Old Boys and Old Collegians merged in the 2004-05 season.

After being 44-3, Saints were rebuilding through James Richards, who top-scored with 71. Saints were stymied through Astle and Joseph Edgerton-Till, who went for six an over, but claimed 3-37.

East Christchurch Shirley all but ruined BWCU’s faint title hopes, amassing 341-9 on a high-scoring Burwood Oval deck.

Easts’ Hamish Teale produced the individual performance of the round, scoring 125, which included 14 fours and six sixes.

Leo Carter shone with 81 from 85 balls, with Easts’ stalwart Darren Broom adding to BWCU’s pain with a half century.

The Huyser brothers, Carl and Tinus, put on a 117-run opening stand in reply for BWCU, who reached 160-3 at stumps.