Wairau, Valley pick up T20 wins

Wairau continued their strong start to the 2022-23 senior cricket Twenty20 competition, racking up their second consecutive win on Wednesday.

Up against Celtic at Horton Park, Wairau put a decent total of 175-3 on the board then restricted their rivals to 147-9, clinching a 28-run victory.

Wairau’s total was based around an unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 124 between the in-form Andrew McCaa (59*) and Harry Boyce (61*). The pair took the attack to Celtic’s bowlers, all except spinner Josh Poole being put under pressure as the innings progressed. Poole’s 2-18 from four overs was a standout bowling effort.

Opener Joel Logan did his best to kick start Celtic’s run chase, scoring a rapid 37, but wickets tumbled regularly as they fell behind the asking rate and no-one was able to collar the five-strong Wairau attack. All their bowlers grabbed wickets, Jonathan Mackey’s 3-17 from four providing the best figures, while Cam Collins and Tarin Mason grabbed a brace apiece. Nick Weaver and Boyce were the other wicket-takers.

Meanwhile, at Oliver Park, Wairau Valley picked up a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Renwick.

Renwick batted first with opener Piers Landon-Lane scoring 41 from 48 balls to anchor their innings. However, he was unable to elicit much help from his fellow batsmen, leaving the Green and Whites short of registering a defendable total, slumping to 105-8 when the 20 overs were bowled.

Sam Boyce, 3-14, and Barend Lindeque, 2-27, were the main wicket-takers.

Valley made no bones about the run chase, openers Jamie McVittie, 49 not out, and Boyce, 49 from 59, taking the score to 103 before Boyce departed, the game wrapped up in the 19^th over with Valley at 107-1. Renwick bowlers Mike Anstis and Blair Timms were both economical at the bowling crease.

Points after two rounds: Wairau 8, MBC 4, Wairau Valley 4, Celtic 0, Renwick 0.