The Marlborough Women’s Rep team produced a superb performance to beat their Nelson counterparts by 91 runs last weekend. Anna Booker led the way with 52 as Marlborough posted 181 batting first with good support from Carley Englefield (18), Eden Pettigrew (18) and Jodi Klempel (16). Stella Cornelius (2-41), Eden Pettigrew (3-13) and Courtney Brown (3-10) were the wicket takers as Nelson were dismissed for 90 in reply.
Unfortunately the Marlborough Men’s side lost their Newman Shield Challenge to Nelson by 7 wickets. Cooper Roberts (80) and Andrew McCaa (56) helped Marlborough through to a competitive score of 233 batting first before a fine innings of 93 from opener Thomas Zohrab guided Nelson to the win.
In the SBS Bank 2nd grade 40 over competition Kaikoura once again came out on the wrong side of an exciting finish, this time missing out by 6 runs to competition leaders Renwick who in the process assured themselves a place in the competition final. Andrew Marshall top scored with 56 for Renwick, Marty Price replying with 38 before Andrew Nation took a crucial 3-11 from 3.2 overs. Wairau remain in 2nd place following a 163 run demolition of Celtic Gold with Fraser MacIntosh scoring 117 from 92 balls and new Marlborough Rep Griffin Carter taking 5-30. Wairau Valley can still make the final but a 5 wicket loss to Celtic Green dented their hopes with Luca Turnball and Liam Young both taking 3 wickets while Ben Holdaway and Joel Logan each made half centuries.
Celtic will take on Wairau Valley in the 3rd grade T20 final following a surprise defeat to Wairau by Renwick for whom opening pair Greg Winstanley (81no) and Chris Perrin (39no) shared an unbroken 146 stand for the first wicket. Hayden McWilliam made 51 in reply while Nathan Brooke-Taylor and Madalyn Winstanley each took 2 wickets. Celtic continued their unbeaten run with Luke Holdaway making 51no after Lachlan MacNeill scored 48no for Valley.
Top performers in the latest round of WK 4th grade games included Albert Nott (38 & 2-11), Charlie Robinson (29no & 2-15), Thomas Heagney (3-9), Fionn Heagney (32), James Litchfield (2-4), Tyler O’Donnell (20), Charlie Lyford (31 & 3-28), Josh Abrahams (44), Alexander Neal (6-8), Taylor Heger (34), and Harry Mckendry (2-11).
Best wishes to the Marlborough U17 side who take on Nelson at Saxton Oval on Sunday. It has been a disjointed covid affected season for this team who were unable to take part in the Central Districts U17 tournament due to bad weather and Covid related restrictions so they will be hoping to end their summer on a high with a strong performance.