Falcons register first TPL win

Marlborough’s senior cricketers got off the mark in the 2025-26 Tasman Premier League cricket competition at the weekend.

Both Marlborough-based sides, the Dolphins and the Falcons, failed to register a win on opening weekend, but on Saturday the Falcons opened their account with a five-wicket win.

Playing on Horton Park one, the Falcons were up against Nelson-based rivals Wakatu Nelson City who won the toss and elected to bat in the 50-over clash.

The visitors found the going tough against a solid Falcons attack, eventually being bowled out for 156 in the penultimate over. Tom Argyle (22), Bryan Krammer (31) and Tayyab Ahmad (20) were the leading scorers.

Six Falcons bowlers claimed wickets, with Matthew Stretch (3-23 from eight overs) and Will Anderson (2-19 from six) the top wicket-takers.

In reply the home side made a solid start, Stretch (25) and Sam Young (19) getting things moving at the top of the order, before Josh Alexander (45 not out from 58 balls) and Griffin Carter (37 from 25) put together a 63-run partnership to guide Falcons to 158-5 in the 26^th over.

On the adjoining ground the Dolphins came up against the Nelson College First XI, losing by 35 runs.

Dolphins won the toss and inserted the students, who made their way to 212-9 after their 50-over allotment.

The home side made early inroads with the ball, picking up wickets steadily to leave College teetering at 6-92 before George Aerakis (47) and Fynn Roberts (51 not out) combined to put on 80 runs for the seventh wicket, pushing their side to a competitive total.

Jaden Adams (2-33 from eight overs) and Josh Poole (2-35 from nine) were the pick of the bowlers.

The Dolphins were in with a shout in the middle stages, a steady 41 from Aidan Conroy, plus 43 from Poole and 36 from Max Armstrong leaving them well placed at 4-170 with 14 overs remaining.

However, a spectacular collapse, with five wickets falling for the addition of just seven runs, saw the home side finish well short of their target, the match ending abruptly in the 42^nd over.

Chief destroyer was Aerakis, with 5-42 from 10 overs.

The other winners during round two were ACOB, who beat Stoke Nayland comfortably and Wolves, who downed WTTU by 31 runs.