SOUTH OTAGO CRICKET CORRESPONDENT
The Owaka Bandits have finished on top of the South Otago Cricket 40-over ladder at the conclusion of the round robin stage of the competition. The Bandits beat Valley Stingers by 10 wickets in their match at the Outlaw Oval in Owaka.
After winning the toss, Valley chose to bat first and recorded 148 for the loss of nine from its 40 overs. No 3 batter Luis Smales batted well. Smales shared partnerships of 40 with Lachie Johnston (25) and 34 with Bevan McCall (22) to get his side over the 100 mark. Francis Parker took three for 39 for the home side. Captain Quentin Gare took two for 16 off eight tight overs.
In reply, Owaka openers Jeremy Gray and Joel White needed no help as they chased down the total inside 28 overs. Gray finished unbeaten on 86 and White was not out on 54.
The Bandits secure their first piece of silverware for the year with the Round Robin Shield. Owaka hosts the Clutha Comets next week in a spicy semi-final.
The Stingers failed to qualify for the post-section play, but still head into the winter with the T20 trophy in their clubrooms.
Owaka Bandits 149/0 (Jeremy Gray 86*, Joel White 54*; Luis Smales 0-8) beat Valley Stingers 148/9 (Luis Smales 44, Lachie Johnston 25; Francis Parker 3-39)
The Waihola Swans gave the Kaitangata Kings their fifth defeat in a row when they beat the home side by 52 runs at the Royal Landfill in Kaitangata.
Waihola won the toss and scored 228 for the loss of seven wickets from its 40 overs. The opening stand of 57 between Toby Greene and Dylan Bungard set the tone. Greene and Rowan Craw shared another partnership for the second wicket. Craw was joined by Shelford Meads. As the innings came to a close and with Craw (76) and Meads (35) back in shed, Kai took quick wickets and restricted well. Kobe Thomson took three for 42 off eight overs for the home side.
In reply, Kaitangata was bowled out for 177 in the 38th over. The opening pairing of Blair Benington and Orry Young put on 37 before Benington was dismissed by Ryan Clark.
Allan Thomson and Orry Young added 44 for the fifth wicket before bowling from Brad Williams removed both batters.
A last-wicket partnership between Dom Grinton and Brady Carmichael saw Carmichael bowled by Shelford Meads and the innings was brought to a close.
After this match, it is clear the two teams will meet again next week in a semi-final.
What is not clear at this stage is where the match will be played after both sides have had one win over the other in the 40 competition this season.
Waihola Swans 228/7 (Rowan Craw 76, Toby Greene 53; Kobe Thomson 3-42) beat Kaitangata Kings 177 (Orry Young 37, Allan Thomson 23; Brad Williams 3-28)
