Renwick 6s tournament draws cricketers from far and wide

Cricketers from within Marlborough and further afield enjoyed the opportunity to free their arms and hit for the boundary as the cricket season proper moved a step closer.

On Saturday, the Renwick Cricket Club staged their fourth annual Renwick 6-a-side tournament, allowing batters and bowlers to work off some rust prior to the beginning of their regular competitions.

Around 50 players and a smattering of spectators made their way to the Renwick Domain, coming from as far afield as the Motueka and Wakatu cricket clubs in Nelson, as well as the Kaikoura Cricket Club. Those three sides were joined by teams from Awatere, Canvastown, the Celtic club in Blenheim, plus two sides from host club Renwick, making a total of eight teams.

Last year’s victors, the Canvastown six, were unable to defend their title, ultimately knocked out of contention in the second round, leaving the door open for a new champion.

After each team had contested three matches of five overs each innings, Kaikoura and the Renwick Premier side remained undefeated. They then squared off in a final battle that went down to the wire.

Needing eight runs from two deliveries for victory, Kaikoura were not able to finish off their run chase with Renwick Premier skipper Akhil Bhardwaj beating the bat for a dot ball. Kaikoura fittingly closed the game with a boundary six, but it was in vain as Renwick triumphed by two runs.

At the conclusion of a most enjoyable event, following presentations of the winner’s trophy and spot prizes, Renwick Cricket Club event organiser Kirk Nicholas said, “While the tournament is more about beginning the season with a social occasion, promoting the sport, and blowing out some winter cobwebs, it was great to see a competitive final and some young cricketers triumph”.

The winning side included senior cricketers Bhardwaj and Ritz Suthar, plus three members of the Nation clan, father Andrew and teenage sons Blake and Benji.

“This is the fourth occasion we have held this tournament to kick-off the season and it is growing in popularity. It is encouraging to draw teams from right across both Marlborough and Nelson.

“We have to thank those teams who travelled long distances to make it happen, as well as our major sponsors Marlborough Public House, Roofline Marlborough and Guthrie Bowron Blenheim,” Nicholas added.

“Thanks to all that support it was a successful day at the Domain for players and spectators alike. We will be sure to do it all again this time next year.”