Hamilton end with win but pipped for title by Northland
Captain Michael Dodunski led from the front for Hamilton as they finished their Fergus Hickey Rosebowl campaign on a winning note.
Dodunski made a century to spearhead the hosts to a 10-wicket victory over Waikato Valley in their final representative match of the season.
However, Hamilton had to settle for second spot in the Rosebowl behind Northland, who pipped Hamilton by dominating their home match at the weekend against Counties Manukau to grab first innings points. The rivals finished level on points, but Northland took the title courtesy of a one-day win over Hamilton earlier this season.
The visitors to Galloway Park won the Waikato Valley 136 (S Cooper 36; J Baker 4-39, P West 3-21) and 106 (K Schwarz 57; Baker 4-18) lost to Hamilton 223-5 (M Dodunski 111, B Speake 35; L Parsons 3-43) and 10-0 by 10 wickets. toss for the two-day encounter and chose to bat but seamers Peter West and James Baker had their measure early. West took the first three wickets to fall before ending with 3-21 off nine overs while Baker captured 4-39 off 17 overs as Valley were dismissed for 136 in the 60th over.
Sam Cooper top-scored for Valley with 36, before Hamilton set about gaining a first innings advantage, which they nearly got on Saturday.
Resuming at 122-3 yesterday, the hosts moved through to 223-5 before Dodunski declared. The skipper made 111, and got useful support from opener Ben Speake (35), Peter Bocock (30 not out) and Josef Walker – whose 27 was coupled with 2-29 with the ball the previous day – while Valley captain Leighton Parsons led his bowlers with 3-43 off 19 overs.
With a lead of 97, Hamilton applied the pressure on Valley’s second innings with Baker again to the fore. The right-arm seamer took 4-18 as Valley were rolled for 106, with only Karl Schwarz (57) providing any defiance before Hamilton chased down the 10 runs needed for victory without loss. Hamilton’s Joe Walker sends down a delivery to Waikato Valley’s Carl Schwarz. Photo: Peter Drury/Fairfax NZ