Falcons fly into TPL final

The Marlborough Labour Hire Falcons booked a place in tomorrow’s Tasman Premier League cricket final with a five-wicket victory over Nelson rivals WTTU at Horton Park today.

They will meet top qualifiers ACOB in Nelson on Sunday after they disposed of Wanderers by seven wickets in the other semifinal.

The Falcons, who lost the toss and were put into the field by WTTU, worked hard to limit the visitors to 222-7 from their 50-over allocation. Veteran Central Districts batsman Greg Hay was the standout in the WTTU batting effort, working his way to an unbeaten 108 from 116 balls and holding his side’s innings together.

Sam Boyce, who took 3-54 from 10 was the best bowler for Falcons, with Tarin Mason bagging 2-24 from nine. Spinners Matthew Stretch and Tim Petrie went wicketless, but helped slow WTTU’s momentum after they had made a rapid start.

In reply, the Falcons were consistent. After losing Chris Turkington, early, Andrew McCaa and Chris Bartholomeusz (39) took the score to 91, blunting WTTU’s attack.

McCaa went on to score a well-timed 82 from 114 balls, anchoring the home side’s effort.

An unbeaten 51 from just 54 balls from skipper Stretch saw the Falcons home, assisted by Mason and Petrie who contributed handy knocks at the end.  Josh Newport, who claimed 3-59 from 9.5 was the most successful of the WTTU attack.