Stretch century keeps Falcons’ flag flying

The succession of topsy-turvy results for Marlborough-based sides in the Tasman Premier League cricket competition continued at Horton Park on Saturday.

In week one, Dolphins won and Falcons lost, a week later the situations were reversed, then on Saturday Falcons pulled off a hefty win while Dolphins were sunk without trace on the number one wicket.

Falcons batted first against WTTU, racking up the daunting score of 309 from their 50 overs, then dismissed their rivals for 125 to win by 184 runs.

Their total was based around a mammoth fifth wicket partnership of 225 between Matthew Stretch, who scored 142 from just 109 balls with 18 fours and four sixes, and Tarin Mason, who amassed a more sedate 75 from 98.

After Stretch and Mason both went in the 42^ndover, Tim Petrie chipped in with 18, while Greg Stretch contributed 22 at the death.

Earlier, Falcons were in early strife. Sitting at 25-4 during the eighth over it seemed their recent batting woes may have returned, before Stretch and Mason took over, mixing belligerent attack with clever placement and sharp running.

WTTU opening bowler Sam Baxendine, who did the early damage, ended with the remarkable figures of 6-36 from his 10 overs, especially as the runs flowed so freely around him.

Chasing such a formidable score, WTTU were always behind the eight ball. Opening bowlers Sam Boyce, 2-18 from six, and Joel Pannell, 2-30 from seven, both snared a brace to leave WTTU at 48-4, before their fellow bowlers joined in to ensure the visitors never came close to chasing down their target.

Petrie and Matthew Stretch also bagged a brace of wickets, while Cameron Collins grabbed the other.

In the other match, a below-strength Dolphins side lost to Wanderers-Motueka by six wickets.

The local side batted first and struggled to create any momentum. Opener Hunter Ruffell and skipper Tom Sutherland shared the top score with 18 apiece, while Kirk Nicholas added 16 as the Dolphins battled their way to a total of 105 from 27.1 overs.

The wickets were shared around, five of the visiting attack bagging a brace.

A 53-run opening partnership between Jack Morris, 19 from 48 balls, and Joe O’Connor, 31 from 39 balls, saw Wanderers-Motueka well on the way to their target and, although they lost four wickets before they reached 106 in the 31^st over, they were always on track.

Ruffell and Liam Young both grabbed two wickets.