The Marlborough Senior Rep Men’s team is back in action this weekend at Horton Park in a 2 day challenge match against Nelson for the Gary MacDonald Cup. After their narrow Newman Shield loss last weekend the Marlborough players will be keen to gain revenge in a game that acts as build up for the Hawke Cup campaign starting next month. Also in action are our Year 11/12 Boys team who travel to Nelson for their Central Districts tournament round 1 game. The result for this game counts towards the CD tournament with remaining games played in Napier from 12–14 December.

In the latest action from the SBS Bank Senior Grade Div1 competition defending champions Wairau are virtually out of contention following their 4th defeat of the season, this time by 10 wickets at the hands of Wairau Valley. After electing bat only Sam Young (35) showed any resistance to the Valley bowlers led by Sukh Aulakh (3-11) and Sam Boyce (3-16). Aulakh, who made his debut for Marlborough in the Newman Shield game last weekend, showed his power with the bat hitting 58no from 44 balls including 7 x 4s and 3 x 6s. The other game was a closer affair after Celtic made 160 all out batting first with useful contributions from Tom Sutherland (37) and Josh Poole (36). Kieran Gaudin (3-19) and Piers Landon-Lane (3-50) were the main wicket takers with Celtic bowled out in 38 overs. In reply Luke Frankland (58) and Corey Bovey (47) set the platform before late wickets resulted in a 3 wicket win, Tom Sutherland taking 4-21. The result means that Renwick take over as the Challenge Cup holders.

In SBS Bank Div2 games Celtic Green were victorious over Wairau thanks to Fergus Dodson (40 & 4-16). Max Ruffell (47), Nathan Ward (34) and Hayden McWilliam (3-46) were the main Wairau contributors. Jordan Alford (58no and 3-7) was the star of Wairau Valley’s 50 run win over Renwick in the other game.

There were more standout performances in round 2 of WK Junior 4th grade last Saturday including:                      Thomas Dunne (26 & 4-11), Daniel Baker (23 & 2-6), Amiri Doonan (32), Fionn Heagney (62 & 2-11), Thomas Heagney (33 & 2-7), Lachie Cooney (26 & 2-13), Noah Hagen (23), Aiden Batty (2-10), Charlie Booker (26 & 2-10), Freddie Heagney (2-7), Natalie Ellin (18), Lewis Stocks (2-13), Heath Barnett (23).

A reminder that you can still register for all our junior grades and programmes via the registration tab on our website. Contact your club representative or development@marlboroughcricket.co.nz if you have any questions or have trouble registering.

There is also still time to enter the Churchill Private Hospital Women’s Social Cricket competition which starts this Wednesday. Contact eden@marlboroughcricket.co.nz to register and for more information.