Although most cricket was cancelled this weekend, Celtic will be pleased with the Temuka attitude after both captains agreed that cricket was the priority. The outfield was mowed again to help speed up the drying process and the match got under way about 3.30 with Temuka in deep trouble at 35-5 in their second innings.
It only took Celtic about an hour to dismiss Temuka for a second time, with Glenn Matthews picking up the one more wicket he needed to claim a five wicket bag while Sam Carlaw added two more to take his haul to three.
For Temuka Kevin Teahen who was not out 7 overnight took his score through to 18 and captain Ritchie Preston remained unbeaten on 24 when the Temuka innings finished at 83 to give Celtic outright victory by an innings and 90 runs.
The Waimate versus Star match was abandoned due to dangerous bowler runups about 4.00 and the match between Geraldine and Timaru also had no play.
Celtic on 36 points is now 99% assured of a place in the final of the Tweedy Cup, but Temuka’s sportsmanship in playing has seen them also profit. The 0.83 batting bonus points they earned in their second innings has helped them to leapfrog Star and Waimate into second place as the battle continues to find the other finalist with two rounds left to play.
The next three weekends see the last three rounds and finals of the Twenty20 competition, while the senior representative players have Hawke Cup matches away against North Otago next weekend and at home against Otago Country the following weekend.
Honours Board: G Matthews 5-40