It was a tough and winless weekend for a young Marlborough Senior Rep Men’s team over last weekend at the Central Districts Chapple Cup tournament in Palmerston North. The team bounced back from a 10 wicket loss to Whanganui on the first day with a much improved performance against Horowhenua Kapiti led by a century from player coach Andrew McCaa. He made 109 from 142 balls will supported by Matthew Stretch (32) and Luke Holdaway (30) before falling short by 43 runs. Day 3 saw the Marlborough side lose to local rivals Nelson. Sam Boyce (3-63) and Baxter Croad (3-45) were the pick of the bowlers while Corey Bovey (45) and Matthew Stretch (59) batted well in a losing cause. The weekend was notable for three players, Nathan Brooke-Taylor, Josh Alexander and Luke Holdaway, making their Marlborough debuts.
There were wins for Celtic and Wairau in the latest round of SBS Bank 2nd Grade 40 over games on Saturday. Celtic made 185 or 7 led by John Diamanti (39), Ollie Kennedy (31), and Stella Cornelius (33no) before dismissing Renwick for 135 despite 65 from Alex Neal. Ryan Clark took 3-20 and Ollie Kennedy 3-15. In the other game Josh Harris took 2-28 to help bowl Wairau Valley out for 142 and followed that up with an unbeaten 55 alongside James Crowe (60no) for a 9 wicket win. Wairau and Celtic currently lead the table and look favourites to make the 9th March final with 2 rounds remaining.
In Division 1 games there were wins for Wairau Valley over Falcons and for Renwick over Wairau. Renwick lead the table with 2 rounds remaining followed by Wairau Valley and Wairau battling it out for a place in the final on 9th March.
In WK 4th grade games there were some more standout performances including; Kyle Buckley (32), Harry MacNeill (31 & 3-21), Josh Abrahams (2-10), Fionn Heagney (38), Tom Heagney (44), George Frampton (3-31), Joseph Gilhooly (2-12), Ned Bell (22no), Quinn Cunliffe (3-17), Carter Eden (3-23), Billy Hurren (67), Theodore McFadden (3-16), Lucas Abbott (30), Julian Englefield (28), Natalie Elin (23), Jacob Hefford (3-9).
Entries are now open for our annual school festival days taking place in early March. Year 3-4 festival is on 4th March with the year 5-6 festival the following day, both at Horton Park. Email Eddie Swan on development@marlboroughcricket.co.nz to enter or for more information.
Entries are also now open for our Churchill Private Hospital Women’s Social Cricket Festival day on Sunday 10th March. If you have never played cricket before this is your chance to give it a try. Enter a team or just yourself and we will find you a team. No gear or experience required. Just email eden@marlboroughcricket.co.nz for more details.
Also coming up on Friday 1st March the PaknSave Marlborough Women’s team are holding a fundraising quiz at the Woodbourne Tavern. To enter a team contact eden@marlboroughcricket.co.nz