Another frustrating wet weekend saw all Saturday cricket cancelled although at least the Friday 5th grade evening games were able to get some play. As a result we have made the decision to add an extra round for our WK junior 5th and 4th grades which will now play a make up round over the weekend of 16-17 December. Fingers crossed we get some drier weather from now on!
There is certainly plenty to look forward to over the next few weeks leading up to the Xmas break. This week sees the inaugural National Over 40s tournament being held in Blenheim from 24th to 28th November. Four regions – Auckland, Districts, Well/Tasman & Cant/Otago – are taking part with each region having an Div 1 A and a Div 2 B team. Div 1 tournament games take place at Horton Park with the Div 2 tournament at Oliver Park. Wairau and Marlborough batsman Andrew McCaa is part of the Wellington/Tasman team which is captained by Hamish Marshall whose twin brother James captains the Auckland team. There should be some great cricket for local supporters to enjoy from 11am each day.
This Saturday Wairau take on Wairau Valley in the final of the SBS Bank Senior grade 40 over competition. Wairau were top qualifiers and start out as slight favourites although Valley came out on top in their only meeting during round robin play. The game starts at 12pm on the main ground at Horton Park.
The SBS Bank 2nd Grade T20 competition continues this Thursday following wins for Renwick and Celtic Green in 1st round action last week. Max Armstrong top scored with 28 in Renwick’s 134 (Caleb Speedy 4-19) which proved too much for Wairau Valley who were all out for 61, Mike Anstis Ed Gilhooly, Archie Cornelius and Kieran Gaudin picking up 2 wickets apiece.
Looking further ahead the Marlborough Senior Reps begin their Hawke Cup campaign with a home fixture against Buller over the weekend of 3-4 Dec followed by a trip to Rangiora to play Hawke Cup holders Canterbury Country the following weekend. Our Year 11-12 reps travel to Napier for the Central Districts tournament from 5-7 December while our Year 9-10 reps play their pre-tournament game against Nelson in Nelson this Sunday 27th November ahead of their CD tournament from 16-19 January. Our PAKnSAVE Women’s rep team continue to practice ahead of more games in the New Year.
The Churchill Trust Women’s Social mid-week competition continues on Wednesday evenings and anyone interested in taking part can still do so by contacting eden@marlboroughcricket.co.nz Use the same email for information on any of our cricket grades or programmes or to find out more about getting involved with cricket in Marlborough.