Junior cricketers make runs in the sun

Venues play host to five matches

Good conditions on Saturday meant all five games of Wanganui Junior Cricket were uninterrupted around the wider region. Playing at home, Taihape took on Combined in their Year 5-6 clash, and chose to bat first against some tight bowling, eventually reaching 113-7.

Compiling the match reports, Annaliesl Stent said Ben Harre and Thomas Revell were the best of the batsmen, while Combined bowlers Charlie Ross and Thomas McMurray had identical figures of 3-7 from their three overs each and Hunter Lithgow finished with two wickets.

“Combined had been practising looking for the quick singles, and they put this into good effect,” said Stent.

“It made for exciting cricket, with Taihape responding with some smart fielding, throwing down the stumps on occasion.”

William Revell finished with great figures of 3-3 also making a runout.

However, with Combined’s Blake Sollit and Logan McKerras scoring 10 runs each and the other batsmen contributing, the visiting team secured a comfortable win.

The Hunterville Year 5-6 team hosted United and sent them in to bat.

On debut, bowler Joey Keenan had an impressive 3-6 which nearly included a hat-trick in his first over.

Set 126 to win, Hunterville reached 168 off their 20 overs with the best being 29 from Jack Goodwin, including two whopping sixes.

In the Intermediate round at Springvale Park, a formidable Huntley squad took on St Georges, with Huntley winning the toss and batting.

Toby Craig retired with 26 off 30 balls, while Orlandon Ratima, originally of Hunterville, top scored with 34.

The tail wagged as Timothy O’Leary (23 not out) and Lachie Gardner (26 not out) saw Huntley through to an imposing 231.

St George’s were hanging onto their wickets initially until Falcon Profit broke through, and then Craig was able to attack the middle order and get three cheap wickets.

Ethan Gilmore was top scorer for the home side with 23, while Xavier Bartley played some good shots to finish unbeaten, but ultimately St George’s were bundled out for 81.

Gardner took the catch of the season so far when he hold onto a screamer at cover to dismiss Jimmy Lithgow.

In Year 7-8 cricket, Hunterville faced Whanganui Intermediate Blue, who won the toss and put them into bat.

Hunterville put together 125 off 28 overs, with Hayden Lourie (34) and Jack Delaney (31) the best of batsmen.

In reply, WIS were held to 104 off their 28 overs. Best of the bowlers for Hunterville was Andrew George with 4-7 from four overs, while Jarvaak Kennedy Goodwin took two awesome catches.

Tyler Turner carried WIS with a solid 32 not out, while allrounder Charlie Meredith followed up his 3-12 with the ball with 23 runs as they kept the target in sight.

In the other Year 7-8 match, Combined took on WIS Yellow, winning the toss and choosing to bowl first.

WIS found themselves in early trouble, however Noah Jones and top scorer James Hardy, aka “The Bus”, helped WIS to a respectable total of 85 in their 28 overs.

Combined had bowled well to get early wickets, including Mac Laurence grabbing a run out.

However, their top order then collapsed in chasing the total, as WIS’s Drew Brennan took two awesome wickets and their fastest bowler, Ratu Latus, grabbed another.

It was left to Luke Bullock to carry Combined to the target, which he did with 34 not out and 10 overs to spare.