Senior cricket finalists decided

Wairau Valley and Celtic will meet in the SBS Bank senior cricket 40-over final next weekend.

Celtic will head into the competition decider in a positive frame of mind after winning both previous 40-over clashes against Valley this season, including a comprehensive six-wicket victory on Saturday.

Valley batted first at Horton Park and struggled throughout, being dismissed for just 91 in the 34^th over. Although six Valley batsmen reached double figures just Tim Abrahams went on, reaching 21 as the Celtic attack held sway. Three bowlers picked up a brace, both Jaden Adams and Tom Sutherland snaring 2-14, while Josh Poole picked up 2-23.

Celtic’s replay was short and sharp. Positive play from Sutherland (24), Ben Holdaway (21) and Luke Holdaway (25 not out) allowing them to reach their target in just 14.2 overs. Sam Boyce picked up 2-28 as the Valley bowlers battled unsuccessfully to defend a below-par score.

In contention to force their way into the final was Renwick, who took on winless Wairau on Horton Park three.

Renwick needed a win and a bonus point to edge past Valley into the decider but came up well short against a Wairau side who produced their most compelling performance this season to prevail by 175 runs.

Leading the way was rep player/coach Andrew McCaa who followed up an unbeaten 76 in Friday evening’s T20 match with a superb 134 not out from 139 balls, a knock which included 19 fours and one six. Lending support was Sam Young and Hunter Ruffell, who both added 27 in Wairau’s imposing total of 282-8. Piers Landon-Lane was the most successful Renwick bowler, bagging 3-46, while Tim May claimed 2-31.

Needing a miracle to qualify, Renwick batted positively but came unstuck against some handy Wairau bowling, especially from spinner Griffin Carter, who took 5-10 from 7.5 overs

Richard O’Shaughnessy top scored for the Green Machine with an unbeaten 37 while Max Armstrong added 30 as their side were bowled out for 107 in 26.5 overs.

T20 kicks off

On Friday evening the senior Twenty20 competition began. Just four teams will contest the title this season, with MBC players returning to their respective clubs.

Opening with wins were Wairau, who beat Renwick by six wickets, and Celtic, who overcame Wairau Valley by the same margin.

Wairau restricted Renwick to 125-7 from their 20 overs, Blair Timms top scoring with 46, while Luke Frankland hit an unbeaten 43. Nick Weaver and Baxter Croad were the pick of the attack, claiming five of the seven wickets to fall.

McCaa’s 76 not out from just 52 balls formed the basis of Wairau’s chase, helped by Aiden Lavender’s 30 at the top of the order.

Valley batted first in the other fixture, amassing 106-7, Sam Boyce’s 27 top score. All seven Celtic bowlers used claimed a single wicket each.

Celtic wasted no time in reaching their target, scoring 110-4 in 11.4 overs. Greg Knowles (30), Tom Sloan (20) and Josh Poole with an unbeaten 18 propelled the Green and Golds to a quick victory. Liam George claimed 3-37 to be the most successful Valley bowler.