Once again there were mixed fortunes for our local Tasman Premier League teams in 5th round action last weekend. The JT Contracting Falcons were comfortable winners over Nelson College by 75 runs thanks to another fine innings from Matthew Stretch (81 from 80 balls) supported by Tarin Mason (38) and two wickets apiece to Joel Lavender, Tim Petrie and Matthew Stretch. The Dolphins meanwhile lost by 4 wickets to competition leaders ACOB. Akhil Pant top scored with 82 while Jaden Adams picked up another 4 wickets but ACOB maintained their unbeaten run to lead the table on 23 points. Falcons sit 4th on 14 points with the Dolphins 6th on 10 points and still all to play for over the final two rounds.

Wairau and Celtic were the winners in the SBS Bank Senior Grade T20 competition in two contrasting games. Joel Lavender (59) and Tarin Mason (60) contributed the bulk of Wairau’s 164 with Renwick falling just 18 runs short thanks to 37 from 13 balls from Joseph Timms. Celtic had number 10 bat Jaden Adams to thank for their win in a low scoring game against MBC as he shared a crucial partnership with Tom Sloan to help them secure a 2 wicket win, Greg Knowles striking 43 at the top of the order while spinners Griffin Carter and Tim Petrie each took 3 wickets for MBC.

In 2nd grade T20 action Adam Balasoglou hit 69 for Marlborough Public House Masters with Cody Golding and Kirk Nicholas both hitting half centuries in Renwick’s winning reply. Wairau beat Celtic Gold thanks to 48 from Fraser MacIntosh and 3-19 from Hunter Ruffell. Sukh Aulakh took 4-16 and hit 51no in Wairau Valley’s win over Wairau Awatere. Celtic Green edged out UCVC thanks to 61 from Ben Holdaway, Paul Hickman made 65 for UCVC.  This Saturday sees the first round of the 2nd grade 40 over competition with Kaikoura making their first appearance of the summer as they travel to Horton Park to take on Wairau.

Top performers in 3rd grade cricket included Sam Young (62), Stella Cornelius (3-28), Greg Winstanley (41 & 3-14), Dane Winstanley (34), Nathan Brooke-Taylor (28no), Lachlan MacNeill (83), Ollie Kennedy (4-19) and Finn Maskill (3-2).

Top performers in WK 4th and 5th grade competitions included Sinclair Hill (51), James Litchfield (3-8), Anton Jossy (39), Teagan Birkett (3-12), Indi Payne (2-9), Spencer Gregg (53), Liam Cohen (35 & 3-3), Tamati de Widt (3-19), Luke Sparks (3-24), Fionn Heagney (35) & Hugo Grigg (2-5).

The Marlborough U15 game in Nelson fell victim to the wet weather on Sunday. Best wishes to our U17 players as they head to their Central Districts tournament in Napier next week while this weekend the Marlborough Senior rep team takes on Nelson at Saxton Oval in the first round of the Hawke Cup Zone 3 elimination series.