Primary cricketers pick up two wins

The Marlborough Primary School Maroon side enjoyed success against quality opposition while hosting the annual Festival of Cricket tournament in Blenheim last week.

A couple of victories against Canterbury opposition ensured the home side finished proceedings with broad smiles on their faces.

Games were played at both Horton and Oliver Parks over the four-day event, each side scheduled to play five matches, three Twenty20 and two 40-over affairs. Unfortunately, the final round of play on Wednesday was washed out after three perfect cricketing days.

The Blenheim-based tournament was a tier one event, involving eight teams from Canterbury (3), Canterbury Country (2), South Canterbury, Mid Canterbury and Marlborough.

The standard was high, with the young players setting high standards in all disciplines, urged on by large groups of supporters ringing the ovals.

Marlborough opened their campaign with a 56-run win over Canterbury Red. Julian Englefield was the standout, top scoring with 37 from 36 balls, then snaring four wickets for just one run in his three overs.

They were well beaten in their next T20 clash, losing by 84 runs to a classy Canterbury Country Black outfit. The hosts also lost their second game on Monday, beaten by five wickets by Mid Canterbury, but bounced back in the following day’s 40-over match.

A 68-run partnership between Reon Holdaway (45) and Joseph Gilhooly (26) saw Marlborough post a respectable total of 150 in 32.2 overs.

Their opponents, Canterbury Country Red, looked on track to run down the target, well-placed at 3-94, before a superb spell of spin bowling from Gilhooly, 3-9 from eight overs, and 3-13 from the accurate Ned Bell, saw the visitors dismissed 28 runs short. The comeback was highlighted by a couple of superb outfield catches from Amiri Doonan and Freddie Heagney that helped turn the tide.

Meanwhile, a second Marlborough primary school side took part in a tier three tournament in Ashburton last week.

The Marlborough Yellow side had a tough time down south, losing all five of their T20 matches, but several individual efforts stood out, particularly in the bowling and fielding area.

Jacob Hefford managed three scores over 20, with Max Campbell contributing an unbeaten 21. Flynn Preece impressed with the ball at a tournament where, despite the scorelines going against them, all the Marlborough players fronted up strongly for each encounter.

Marlborough Primary School Maroon: Josh Abrahams, Julian Englefield, Freddie Heagney, Ryan Batty, Ned Bell, Amiri Doonan, Joseph Gilhooly, Reon Holdaway, Carter Eden, Dylan Wells. Coaches: Jarrod Englefield, Kyle Heagney.

Marlborough Primary School Yellow: Mason Ball, Jaydn Buckley, Max Campbell, Finnbar Duncan, Noah Hagen, Jacob Hefford, Archie Laugesen, Corban McLennan, Jock Murphy, Flynn Preece. Coaches: Brent Hefford, Paul Murphy.