Round nine of the Borton Cup saw Waitaki Boys’ High School topple Union, Eastern down Oamaru / St Kevin’s and Valley see off a reluctant Albion.
Waitaki Boys’ made its first defence of the Payne Tempero trophy at Milner Park with a 109-run victory over Union.
Waitaki batted first, with opener Harvey Lowe posting 38. Nathan Smith and Blake James were the next highest scorers with 33 each for a total of 218/7.
Paul Johnston was most effective with the ball for Union, taking 2 for 34 off 9 overs.
Union’s chase-down lacked urgency as top order batsmen Glynn Cameron, Jake Greenslade and Duncan Drew were dismissed for 7, 3 and 4 respectively.
Jeremiah Shields (49 not out) offered the most resistance as the Blues were all out for a paltry 109.
Waitaki’s Nathan Smith’s fine form with the ball continued. The skipper took 2 for13 off seven overs while Blake James took 3 for 29 off his seven overs.
Valley notched a 59-run victory over Albion in a battle of the points table’s top two sides at the Whitestone Contracting Stadium’s outer oval.
The Mungas won the toss and elected to bowl.
Valley posted 298/6 with Francois Mostert (159) in blistering form, while Lochlan Kingan contributed with 61.
Ian Cooney was the best of Albion’s bowlers, taking 3 for 50 off 10 overs.
Albion’s innings were interrupted by rain in the 20th over. The tie was delayed by 50 minutes and a new target of 256 was agreed upon at the restart.
Ammer Mirza (52) top-scored but Albion could only muster 197 (all out) in the 36th over.
The questionable form of Oamaru/St Kevin’s continued with a four-wicket loss to Eastern at St Kevin’s College.
Oamaru/St Kevin’s will face Waitaki Boys’ High School in next Saturday’s penultimate round-robin fixtures while Union faces Albion and Valley takes on Eastern.
By James Ford
