Albion 169 beat Carisbrook-Dunedin 157
Albion recorded its third consecutive win and remains at the top of the senior declaration standings.
But its 12-run win against Carisbrook-Dunedin at Tonga Park on Saturday was a nervy affair.
With a modest total of 169 on the board, Albion’s defence could not have started better.
Tommy Clout removed opener Liam Ryan first ball. Hudson James-Everton (5) and Camden Hawkins (9) departed quickly as well.
Former Otago all-rounder Sam Wells (three for 34) got the key wicket of Hawkins and also nabbed the important scalp of Anjas Bhogal to leave Carisbrook-Dunedin teetering at 18 for four.
Max Chu (33) and Jack Pryde (23) put on a modest partnership of 34 to offer some hope, but left-armer Matt West came in and took four for 49 to ultimately seal the win.
Kurt Johnston clubbed an unbeaten run-a-ball 45, and was threatening to take the game away from Albion until he ran out of partners.
Earlier, Josh Tasman-Jones anchored Albion’s innings with a patient knock of 56 from 93 balls. Tim Ford made a key contribution with 38 not out, while Richard Sillars (four for 81) and Johnston (three for 34) were the best of the Carisbrook-Dunedin bowlers.
University-Grange 65 lost to North East Valley 69 for two
North East Valley cruised to a comfortable eight-wicket win, thanks to another capitulation by University-Grange.
University was bowled out for a paltry 65. Corey Perrett accounted for both openers and took four for 16 from 9.1 overs.
Kyle Hastie was the other major beneficiary. He nabbed three for 15 from eight overs.
Greg Webber top scored for University with 18 from 48, while Venkat Kotte was the only other Grange player to reach double figures with 10.
Thorn Parkes whacked 46 from 45 at the top of the North Easy Valley order to help seal an early finish.
Kaikorai 246 for nine declared drew with Green Island 157 for seven
Ben Seavill and Josh Bates put on a 100-run stand for the eighth wicket, but Kaikorai perhaps left the declaration too late at Bishopscourt.
The home declared at 246 for nine. The innings had been teetering at 144 for seven, but Bates got the side back on course with 88 and Seavill added a valuable 47. Earlier Jordan Gain posted 53.
Ethan Childs was the pick of the Green Island bowlers with four for 26 from 12 overs. There were five maidens in the spell.
Green Island slumped to 56 for five in reply and appeared on course for a comfortable loss. But Mark Joyce held the innings together with 79 not out from 101 balls.
The veteran all-rounder is closing in on 400 senior games for the club, and played another gem to rescue a draw for his side.
Jack Henderson (two for 24) and Dillon Wijesinghe (two for 10) each picked up a brace of wickets for Kaikorai.
