Junior cricket grades got underway for the 2021 season last weekend. I watched most of the WK 5th grade game between the two girls teams, the Renwick Royals and WV Blasters, and was impressed by the skill and sportsmanship of the players who were obviously greatly enjoying themselves. With ten teams now in this grade it’s looking very positive all round.
In WK 4th grade there were plenty of strong performers first game back including; Joshua Freeman (50), Daniel Baker (27), Liam Cohen (50), Spencer Gregg (63), Dane Winstanley (53), Anton Jossy (29), Pooja Jat (2-19), Alexander Neal (21), Blake Pitts (2-19), Jasper Sorenson-Brown (36), Charlie Sparks (2-8) and Maxwell Short (2-6).
In 3rd grade T20 first round games Ryan Clark top scored for Celtic with 36 but an unbeaten 52 from Sam Young got Wairua home with 2 balls to spare, Dylan Andrews contributing a vital 23no. Renwick were the other winners over Wairau Valley by 8 runs in another close encounter. For Renwick Jonathan Du Koch made 54 and Mark Spencer took 3-9, while for Valley Blair Speedy took 4-18.
Celtic Green followed up their 40 over success by defeating UCVC in the SBS Bank 2nd grade T20 final. UCVC made 121 with Simon Muir top scoring on 32no, while man of the match Wayne Young slowed the scoring taking a miserly 2-8 from his 4 overs. Celtic comfortably chased this down for the loss of only two wickets thanks to Joel Logan (40) and Brendon Adams (46). This weekend sees the start of the 2nd grade 40 over challenge cup with Kaikoura Cricket Club a welcome addition to this competition.
In TPL action the Marlborough Labour Hire Falcons secured 2nd place and a home semi-final with a round to spare following a convincing win over Wanderers (Chris Turkington 76, Sam Boyce 4-28). The Dolphins lost to Nelson College despite another 3 wicket haul to Joel Pannell and a battling 40 from Akhil Pant. Final round games are both at Horton Park this Saturday with the semi-finals and final the following weekend.
The final of the Senior grade T20 competition is this Friday at Horton Park starting at 5.15pm between Renwick and Celtic. Come along and take in some great cricket action in what is always a popular final. In final round games from last week Wairau Valley beat Celtic (Matthew Stretch 42 & 3-13), while MBC ended their season with a win over Wairau (Tim Petrie 45).
A reminder that you can now register for our Yeah! Girls programmes starting shortly at MGC and at Bohally Intermediate – contact Bailey on development@marlboroughcricket.co.nz
Also contact Bailey to register yourself or a team for our Women’s Social cricket which starts on Wednesday 17th Feb.