Nelson cricketers stay on top

Nelson maintained their firm grip on cricket’s Newman Shield with a six-wicket win over Marlborough at Horton Park on Sunday.

The lads from over the hill have dominated the biannual senior men’s contest in recent times and were at it again, reducing the home side to a paltry total batting first, then running it down in reasonably comfortable fashion.

The Griffins started the day by winning the toss and electing to bowl, immediately targeting the often-fragile Marlborough batting.

The home side made a steady start, youngsters Sam Young and Aidan Conroy combining to put on 30 runs before both fell in quick succession to slip catches.

From then on Marlborough’s batsman came and went with regularity, the only exception being veteran Andrew McCaa who hung around for 49 balls in a bid to form a telling partnership.

However, that never eventuated and when McCaa departed for top score of 29 in the 29th over, the team were reeling at 6-102.

Hopes rested on the home side’s lower order to resurrect their innings but, against the spin of Matthew O’Sullivan (2-29 from 10), paceman Jared Silvester (3-15 from 6.4 overs) Cory Stewart (2-32 from eight) and Hogan Ward (2-18 from four) they all made small starts but were unable to progress.

Ultimately Marlborough were dismissed for 136 in the 43rd over.

Neding early wickets to put some sort of pressure on the chasing side, Marlborough settling into their work quickly.

Zariab Karkaria bowled with pace and hostility, claiming Nelson opener Jonty Raxworthy before the batting side had reached double figures. Then fellow opening bowler, Jaden Adams forced a false shot from the other opener, Andrew Beatson, having him caught at slip to lift home hopes with the visitors struggling at 2-10.

Number three batter Sam John, who was fortunate to survive a dropped chance at slip, began to resurrect the Griffins innings, combining with Kurt Ward, who scored 31 from 23 balls, to push the score to 58 before spinner Griffin Carter slipped one through his defences.

Ward went on, scoring 26 from 39 before Carter rattled his castle and, at 4-77, Nelson still had some work to do.

However, coach Sean Neal strode to the wicket and immediately took the attack to the home side’s bowlers. His unbeaten 45, from just 21 balls, alongside Finntann Batt’s 17 not out, saw them produce an unbeaten 62-run partnership that quickly dashed any lingering hopes the home side had of a miraculous comeback.

Carter claimed 2-24 from five overs, Adams 1-38 from eight and Karkaria 1-36 from 6.3 to lead the bowling effort.

Marlborough’s next rep match is against Buller at the end of this month. Their Hawke Cup zone matches begin with an away game against Nelson on December 13-14.