Marlborough’s cricketing Falcons continue to produce the goods in the Tasman Premier League, sitting in second place after six rounds.
The Wairau Valley/Wairau combination picked up their third win in the annual competition on Saturday, beating Nelson side ACOB by six wickets at the Botanics.
The Falcons won the toss in the 50-over match and sent in the home side, dismissing them for 164 in 37 overs. Man-of-the-match Matthew Stretch picked up 5-24 from 9.5 overs to lead the way in the field for the visitors, Joel Pannell, Daniel Baker, Hamish O’Brien, James Bell and Griffin Carter snaring one wicket apiece.
Liam Baird scored 40 from 47 balls to top score for ACOB, Jonty Raxworthy registering 26 from 29 and Sam John 21 from 31.
The Falcons replied steadily, with Ollie Eyles contributing a valuable 33 from 40 balls at the top of the order, but it was Stretch who anchored the chase, amassing an unbeaten 76 from just 66 balls to wrap up a superb all-round effort. Ben Neale, 2-32 from seven, led the home side’s attack, the match ending in the 33rd over with the Falcons cruising to 165-4.
Unfortunately, the news was less favourable for the other Marlborough-based side, the Dolphins losing by two wickets to WTTU at Jubilee Park.
The visitors chose to bat and were bowled out in the 30th over for 114, of which number eight batsman Logan Robinson contributed an unbeaten 42 from 27 balls to add some respectability.
Jon Routhan took 5-21 from his full complement of overs while Adam Ward picked up 4-27 from 9.3 to dominate the bowling stats.
WTTU’s reply was less than convincing but ultimately effective, early wickets from Luke Holdaway, Kayse Holdaway and Liam Young reducing them to 30-5 before a handy partnership formed. In the latter stages the home side were again perilously placed at 93-8 before they eased their way to 115-8 in the 35th over.
Top scorer was Bryn Thurlow with a patient 42 from 75. Luke Holdaway finished with 3-20 from 7.4, Young taking 3-20 from eight.
In other results Stoke Nayland beat Nelson College and Wolves beat Wakatu.
Latest table with one round to play before the semifinals: Stoke Nayland 25, Falcons 16, WTTU 15, ACOB 14, Wolves 11, Nelson College 10, Wakatu 7, Dolphins 7.
