Women cricketers get better of Nelson

The coveted Hiwa-I-Te-Rangi Trophy will spend the summer in Marlborough after our women’s rep cricketers got the better of their Nelson counterparts in their final clash of the year.

At Saxton Field on Sunday, Marlborough claimed a five-wicket win over the Nyxons. Going into the clash Nelson led the four-match series 2-1 after dispatching Marlborough easily at Horton Park in match three.

However, the tables were turned on Sunday, Marlborough dismissing Nelson for 163 in 32.2 overs, then chasing down their target in 24.5 overs for the loss of just five wickets. Although the matches were tied 2-2, on a countback of bonus points Marlborough were awarded the trophy.

Petra Cederman, 22 from 35, and Caitlin Whiting, 49 not out from 80, anchored the home side’s innings. Marlborough used nine bowlers, with Tyler O’Donnell, 3-32 from 4.2, Boadicea Lynch, 2-24 from six and Fenella Cooney, 2-24 from four, the main wicket takers. Neve Edwards also bowled well, taking 1-13 from six tidy overs.

At the halfway mark, although Nelson had put a decent score on the board, Marlborough captain Eden Pettigrew felt that, given the lightning speed of the outfield, it was an achievable target.

After Marlborough lost early wickets, struggling at 56-4, Eden joined Tyler O’Donnell and the pair set about establishing a partnership. This they did and by the time they were separated the visitors were 125-5, Eden moving on to a superb half century, 51 from just 50 balls before losing her wicket immediately after drinks. Tyler was joined by fellow youngster, Alice Brown, and they saw the side home, Tyler finishing unbeaten on 20 from 46 balls and Alice 18 not out from 15.

“It was a great effort from the young girls,” said Eden. “They were really thrilled to get us home.

“But everyone contributed today,” she added. “We played to the same level we had been training at, so the girls are really stoked.”

Club cricket      

Meanwhile, in senior club play on Saturday Celtic booked a spot in the forthcoming 40-over championship final with an eight wicket win over Wairau on Saturday.

Both teams went into the match after first round victories but Celtic dominated on the day, restricting Wairau to 159-8, then running the total down in fine fashion, ending at 163-2 with 13.3 overs remaining.

Wairau’s total was built around an unbeaten 99 off 112 balls from in-form rep batsman Andrew McCaa. His side’s next best score was 20 from Griffin Carter. Leading the wicket-takers were Liam Young, 3-28 from eight, and Kayse Holdaway, 3-27 from five.

Celtic’s openers set about the run chase in aggressive fashion, Andy Fitzpatrick, 42 from 62, and Logan Robinson, 53 from 56, unable to be separated until they had passed the century mark. Caleb Young, 36 not out from 28, continued the assault on the Wairau attack to get the job done in fine fashion and book his side’s spot in the decider, scheduled for March 21.

On the adjoining Horton Park three pitch Wairau Valley met Renwick, both teams having lost their first round matches and desperate for success.

Valley batted first and put 173-8 on the board, opener Nathan Glue, 71 from 103, and Matt Stretch, 44 from 67, the main contributors. The pair combined for a fruitful 78-run third wicket partnership. Cody Golding, with an outstanding return of 4-28 from five, and Keiran Gaudin, 2-29 from seven, led the Renwick attack.

Renwick’s reply was also based around one large partnership, opener Aidan Conroy, 52 from 74, and Kirk Nicholas, 40 from 43, working together to compile a 72-run collaboration. James Bell took 2-42 while Sam Boyce, Eden Pettigrew and Matt Stretch picked up a wicket each.

Next week Wairau meet Renwick in what is effectively a preliminary final to decide who plays Celtic in the final.

Points: Celtic 8, Wairau 4, Renwick 4, Wairau Valley 0.