Renwick cricketers maintain momentum

Renwick continued their unbeaten run in the Marlborough senior 40-over competition with another victory on Saturday.

On the Horton Park one wicket, the Green Machine downed Wairau Valley by three wickets.

Valley batted first, amassing 208-9 from their full allotment, Renwick reaching their winning target for the loss of seven wickets in the final over.

Valley’s total was anchored by allrounder Sam Boyce, who scored an unbeaten 89 from 102 balls. He was well supported by Eddie Swan, 38 from 35, and Richard Petrie, the former Black Cap scoring 25 from 27. Mike Anstis, Fred Suluoto and Rikki Bovey claimed two wickets apiece.

Renwick’s reply began strongly, openers Piers Landon-Lane (22 from 34) and veteran Andrew Marshall putting on 46 for the first wicket.

When Landon-Lane departed, Bovey came to the crease and scored freely, totalling 79 from 75 balls, while Marshall ended with 64 from 76, the pair’s 94-run partnership setting up a successful chase.

Although Renwick lost late wickets they entered the final over needing four runs and got there with two balls to spare.

Boyce, 2-25, and Petrie, 3-44 from eight, were the most successful bowlers.

On the number three ground, Wairau cantered to a nine-wicket win over the Falcons.

Batting first, the Falcons stuttered their way to 126 all out in the 34th over. Luke Holdaway was the main contributor, scoring 46 from 74 balls to hold the innings together. Yadwinder Hundal, 36 from 31, also helped the cause.

For Wairau, Hunter Ruffell was the chief destroyer, taking 4-15 from six, while Griffin Carter claimed 3-43 from eight.

Ruffell also featured in his side’s batting effort, scoring an unbeaten 59 from 39 balls opening the innings. Andrew McCaa weighed in with an unbeaten 38 from 33 as Wairau got the job done quickly, racing to 129-1 in the 15th over.

College clash

Early last week Marlborough Boys’ College First XI hosted their St Thomas of Canterbury counterparts at Oliver Park.

The sides squared off in a two-day encounter, which was eventually won outright by the visitors.

St Thomas won the toss and elected to bat in hot conditions. The local side battled to make inroads as St Thomas declared with 300-7 on the board. Archie Corneluis claimed 2-48 from 14 overs, while Sam Young took 2-59 from eight.

By the end of the first day MBC were reasonably well placed at 148-4 but after losing top scorers Young, 40, Luke Holdaway, 37, and Ben Armstrong, 37, they were dismissed for 207. In their second innings St Thomas pushed for quick wins in a bid to force an outright and were eventually bowled out for 188, McWilliam bagging 5-42 from six overs and Cornelius 3-60 from 10.

Chasing 281 for an outright victory MBC gave it a good shake. Their effort was led by Young who underlined his growing reputation with 86 from 108 balls. He was helped by Holdaway with 46, completing a good double, and Lachie MacNeill, with 26, however the home side fell well short, being dismissed for 209.