ACOB too good for Falcons

The Marlborough Labour Hire Falcons may have reached today’s Tasman Premier League final, but they were unable to get the job done in the decider in Nelson.

They went down by six wickets to top qualifier ACOB who restricted the Blenheim-based side to 141 then chased the meagre target down for the loss of just four wickets in quick time.

Although consistent batting enabled them to get the better of semifinal rival WTTU at Horton Park on Saturday, it let them down at Saxton Oval a day later.

After a promising opening partnership of 21 they lost wickets regularly, opener Chris Bartholomeusz the best of the top order with 19 patient runs from 63 balls.

At 53-6 the Falcons were in deep trouble but got enough runs from their lower order to post a score they had a slim chance of defending. Bailey Andrews-Kennedy (17), Harrison Boyce, who produced the top score of 42, Nick Weaver (10) and No 11 Tim Petrie (14 not out) pushed the visitor’s score to 141 before they were dismissed in the 49

th

over.

The ACOB bowlers were miserly, while sharing the wickets around. Thomas Zohrab bowled 10 overs, taking 2-12, Mason Lund grabbed 2-19 from seven, rep coach BJ Barnett picked up 2-28 from seven while Reuben Smith took 2-34 from six. David Zohrab was equally hard to score from, snaring 1-18 from 10.

Falcons needed early wickets and got two, picking up Barnett and No 3 Ben Hazlett with just 10 on the board. However, that brought the Zohrab brothers together and they were not separated until the scoreboard read 102. Thomas scored 50 from 86 balls, while David was not out 60 off 103 at the close, which came in the 38

th

over.

Weaver, 2-22 from eight, Matthew Stretch 2-31 from 8.4, were the wicket-takers.