Wet weather wiped out the last two Saturdays resulting in the final date for WK 4th grade competition to be extended by one week to Saturday 19th March, the same weekend as afternoon grade finals. The Marlborough Women’s fixture with Nelson also fell to the weather but they have another outing this Sunday when they play in Cheviot against Christchurch club side Sydenham.
Both the Senior and 2nd grade T20 Finals were also postponed and re-scheduled to Friday 18th Feb and Thursday 17th Feb respectively. Renwick meet Celtic Green in the 2nd grade final following semi-final wins over UCVC and Wairau. In the Senior grade final Celtic and Wairau try again after bad light and rain forced the abandonment of last Friday’s final which was evenly poised at the time. Both finals start at 5.15pm on the main Horton Park no1 ground.
Fortunately Friday evening 3rd and 5th grade competition games escaped the wet weather and there have been fine performances to report. Celtic and Wairau Valley lead the way in the 3rd grade T20 competition with standout performances from Wairau’s Sam Young (72 & 66); Valley’s Barend Lindreque (24 & 3-11), Lachlan MacNeill (42) & Caleb Speedy (32); Celtic’s Couper Robinson (64), Ollie Kennedy (46 & 3-11), Ben Armstrong (4-16) & Luke Holdaway (81); and Renwick’s Nathan Brooke-Taylor (2-12 & 2-19).
In WK 5th grade there were notable performances from George Frampton (23), Joseph Gilhooly (5-6), Harry McKendry (2-13), Finn Ashworth (2-11), Eddie Russell (3-3), & Torin Birkett (24).
Sadly following the sharp rise in covid community cases and the increased travel risks involved the Marlborough Senior Men’s team have had to withdraw from this weekend’s Central Districts Chapple Cup tournament. This was a difficult decision especially at such late notice and follows on from the disappointment of the rain ruined Hawke Cup Zone 3 final. The reps now prepare for their final game of the season which is a Newman Shield Challenge in Nelson on Sunday 6th March.
Community Cricket continues to operate under the traffic light red system for community sport gatherings. Up to date information on play and training guidelines can be viewed via the MCA website. Participants, players, officials and supporters need to be aware of government guidelines including the requirements around mask wearing and maximum gathering limits.
Best wishes to all our teams this weekend and please follow the play and practice guidelines so we can keep everyone safe and ensure community sports can continue unaffected.