CRICKET CORRESPONDENT
Valley Stingers v Clutha Comets
The Valley Stingers have given themselves a huge chance of hosting a semifinal with a four› wicket win over the Clutha Comets at the Wasp Nest, Tuapeka Mouth in round eight of the South Otago Cricket forty over competition.
Clutha elected to bat first and recorded 163 all out in the 30th over of the innings.
There were plenty of cameos throughout the Clutha innings starting at the top with Mike Edwards (17) and Caleb Carson
(28). The headline act of the Clutha batting innings was Dom Grinton who hit a brisk 36 runs off 23 balls through the middle of the innings to keep the momentum going.
Scott McLaren and Konrad Michie both scored 16 runs each towards the end of the innings; Michie was unbeaten at the end of play. Nick Manston finally showed his ability with the bat at the death, swatting 19 runs off just six balls.
Ash Sharma was again the pick of the Valley bowlers, taking his season tally of wickets to over twenty with figures of four for 25 off eight overs. Bevan McCall and Luis Smales also took two scalps each.
Valley chased the total down in the 31st over, giving them a handy bonus point.
A dubious lbw was awarded early in the Valley innings which saw captain Lachie Johnston head back to the pavilion early. The decision was marginal at best, with Clutha fielders suggesting it would have flown over two sets of stumps.
Ever reliable opening batter Alex Campbell got into his work and rarely put a foot wrong. Campbell struck 47 runs from 56 balls to set his team up nicely.
Michael Johnston’s 15 kept Valley on track before a swashbuckling unbeaten 49 by Bevan McCall and some key boundaries from Ash Sharma (9 not out) got Valley home inside 32 overs. McCall top›scored and it was suggested he needed to after triggering his skipper.
The wickets were shared by the Clutha side with Connor Smith and Nick Manston taking two each.
Valley Stingers 164/6 (Bevan McCall 49 not out, Alex Campbell 47; Nick Manston 2›37) beat Clutha Comets 163 (Dom Grinton 36, Caleb Carson 28; Ash Sharma 4›25)
Owaka Bandits v Waihola Swans
The Owaka Bandits have solidified second place for another week with an 85›run win over the Waihola Swans at the Crab Grounds in Milton.
Owaka was asked to bat first and they recorded 259 for the loss of just five wickets from their forty overs.
Opening batter Danny Simmonds was the star of the show, notching up his first South Otago century with 116 runs off 104 deliveries. Simmonds started conservatively but shared useful partnerships with Francis Parker (4) and Raiden Pennicott (16).
It was the fourth wicket partnership with captain Quentin Gare that was the highlight of the innings. The two batters added 98 for the fourth wicket in rapid fashion, with their running between the wickets a real feature.
Simmonds was dismissed with ten overs to go to thunderous applause. Gare carried on the positivity with the bat and hit some whopping sixes on his way to his second half century of the year. Gare was dismissed towards the end of the innings for 74 off 61 balls.
Five Waihola bowlers took a wicket each in a sloppy fielding effort which saw no less than 12 catches dropped at various stages of the innings.
In reply, Waihola was dismissed for 174 in the final over of the innings.
Opener Ryan Clark was run out in the early stages, which did not help the Swans’ cause. Captain Greg Webber tried his hardest to chase the total down but received no positive support from anyone else.
Webber and Brad Williams shared an 82›run partnership for the fourth wicket which lasted 16 overs. Williams and Webber were dismissed within three overs of each other and the positive intent stopped dead in its tracks.
Waihola limped to the finish but managed to get some valuable time at the crease which may help them in the coming weeks.
Webber top scored for his side with a well›struck 68 runs off 89 balls. Williams was next best with 25 off 48.
Every Owaka player got a bowl but once again Hayden Sheppard was the shining light. He returned figures of four for 38 off eight overs. He was unlucky not to get five with a sharp chance going down late in the innings.
Owaka Bandits 259/5 (Danny Simmonds 116, Quentin Gare 74; Craig Gordon 1›19) beat Waihola Swans 174 (Greg Webber 68, Brad Williams 25; Hayden Sheppard 4›38)
