Celtic have claimed the Tweedy Cup senior two-day cricket competition with a dominant second day, set up by their captain Craig Davies.
Top Left: Brad Gilbert, James Blackstock, Jeremy Liddy, Glenn Matthews, Nick Cahill, Sam Carlaw, Jacob Naylor. Bottom Left: Dan Laming, Willie Scott, Craig Davies (c), Mark Tutton. (Image courtesy of GreenTurfCam)
Day Two Report:
He was at his punishing best as he made 170 to ensure his side would not relinquish the first innings advantage they had gained at Aorangi Oval.
Celtic amassed 382 for eight declared before stumps were mercifully drawn on a Timaru team who looked tired by the end of the game.
The turning point of the match was in the final hour of day one, when Celtic took five wickets for 31.
They removed Dhananjaya Murari for 77 and Timaru then lost their way.
The carnage reduced Timaru to 145 for seven at the close, when they were at 114 for two chasing Celtic’s first innings of 258 all out.
The Celtic bowlers were helped by two run outs to quickly wrap-up the Timaru first innings for 175 early on day two to earn an 83-run lead.
Celtic then set about batting all day, breaking the spirit of Timaru, who were not able to make the quick in-roads they needed.
Davies innings was one of initial survival as he and Nick Cahill (34) saw off the threat of the new ball which caused so much damage on day one.
They had an opening partnership of 109 which effectively ended the match as a contest.
With Timaru no chance of victory, Davies piled on the runs and he had many supporting acts.
Dan Laming (52), Jacob Naylor (46) and Sam Carlaw (45) all scored their runs in double-quick time, before a flurry of late wickets fell as Celtic looked to hit sixes.
Left-arm spinner Zane Sanders was the main benefactor as he picked up five for 110.
It was a long way from the opening overs of the match where Hayden Leonard had put Timaru on top in seam-friendly conditions.
He reduced Celtic to seven for two, before Mark Tutton (73) and Davies (53) got them through to a strong first innings total.
Day One Report: Celtic gain control of two-day club final
Celtic claimed five Timaru wickets in the final hour of play to gain control after day one of the Tweedy Cup senior two-day cricket final at Aorangi Oval.
Timaru were cruising at 114 for two after 26 overs, in reply to Celtic’s 258 all out, but lost five for 31 to end the day at 145 for seven.
Timaru elected to field at the start of the day with a greener than usual Aorangi Oval pitch and the overnight rain no doubt the main motivators behind the decision.
It paid dividends early as Hayden Leonard got plenty of seam and swing assistance to reduce Celtic to seven for two.
Celtic captain Craig Davies held firm in the tough conditions, as he showed patience on his way to 53.
When he was dismissed, Mark Tutton carried on his good work.
Tutton made 73, and was punishing on anything short.
Celtic scored at a healthy run-rate throughout, but every time they looked likely to build a big partnership, Timaru took a wicket.
Hayden Leonard finished with three for 62, while the left-arm spin of Zane Sanders claimed two late wickets.
Wicket-keeper Kane Whiteley took four catches.
Timaru lost Gerald Piddock in the second over to the bowling of Dan Laming, which saw Dhananjaya Murari come to the crease.
Murari was strong through the off-side and while he played some rash shots, he mixed them with powerful hitting, including two sixes over cover which ended with him taking one hand off the bat.
Timaru, under his guidence, had made it to 112 for two before Murari was given out caught behind off James Blackstock, just as the final hour of play started, The wicket started a middle-order collapse.
On a day where the seam bowlers had dominated, South Canterbury’s top spinner Sam Carlaw showed his value by taking two wickets late in the day while strangling the Timaru run-rate.
Much will rest with Kris Howes (19 not out), if Timaru are to get close to Celtic’s first innings total when play resumes at 12pm.