NZ over-50s cricket tournament underway in Blenheim

Runs flowed freely as the opening shots in the New Zealand over-50s Interprovincial tournament [IPT] were played in Blenheim today.

Division one action, involving four teams, was based at Horton Park while a quartet of division two sides did battle at Oliver Park.

Most impressive of the division one sides was the “‘home” combination of Wellington/Tasman Firehawks, who rolled over defending champs Auckland Cavaliers by 86 runs. In the other div one clash, Canterbury Otago Mainlanders downed Districts Evergreens by 38 runs.

The Firehawks’ victory was set up by a mammoth 195-run opening stand between former Marlborough wicketkeeper/batsman Mason Robinson and Wellington’s Colin Owens. Both went on to make centuries, Robinson retiring hurt for 107, Owens not out 111 when the 45-overs were bowled. Firehawks’ skipper, ex-international Richard Petrie, came in at three when Robinson departed and continued the momentum, blasting 80 from just 47 balls to see his side through to an impressive 331-0.

Auckland’s reply was handy but the regular loss of wickets ensured they were unlikely to match the home side’s effort, their contribution ending at 245 in the 41^st over.

Another former Marlborough cricket, allrounder Jason Campbell, was the most impressive of the Wellington/Tasman attack, picking up 3-36 from eight overs.

Canterbury/Otago batted first on the number three ground, an 89-run opening partnership between former Otago first class player Andrew Hore and Craig Gibb setting the platform for their total of 239-9 from 45 overs.

Grant Hall and Adil Somani, another former first class competitor, both snared three wickets for Districts.

Somani picked up a half century for Districts in reply, while Simon Dodds scored an unbeaten 73 from 48 balls, but they were eventually bowled out for 201 in the 43^rd over.

Main wicket-taker was former Canterbury spinner Andrew Nuttall with 3-41 from nine.

In the division two clash between the Firehawks and Cavaliers it was the Aucklanders who came out on top, prevailing by 38 runs. Auckland put 194-9 on the scoreboard, then dismissed the Firehawks for just 156 in the 37^th over.

The final encounter saw Canterbury/Otago rack up a double, beating Districts by 20 runs. In a high-scoring clash, half centuries from Mark Hampton and Pat McKenna saw the Mainlanders reach 288-8, Tim King claiming four wickets.

In reply, Districts got through to 268, helped by 73 to Bruce Kessell, before being dismissed with three balls remaining.

David Robertson, 3-38, topped the bowling figures.

Tomorrow, play continues at both parks.