Craig Davies passes previous season aggregate of 804
It was a record-breaking weekend for Celtic cricket captain Craig Davies, as the South Canterbury two-day competition entered its penultimate round.
Davies surpassed Andrew Buckingham’s record for most runs in a club season for a South Canterbury batsman, thanks to an innings of 142 not out which left his side in total command against a lacklustre Star on Saturday.
Timaru look likely to avoid the wooden spoon after a solid first day against Roncalli College at Ashbury Park 4.
Despite a five-wicket bag from Grant Watt, Roncalli will struggle to get the remaining 79 runs they need from nine overs to gain first innings points.
Alan Reids 7-39 led the Waimate attack.
Waimate were in control against Temuka at Knottingly Park. Waimate allrounder Alan Reid took seven for 39 on a day where 23 wickets fell.
As Celtic pushed for an outright win, Star were keen to keep their slender lead in the competition.
A third-wicket partnership of 47 between Todd Elliotte and George Harper threatened to give Star the upper hand, but when Harper went, and Elliotte followed for 38, it was left to the tail to scratch some runs together.
The run rate never lifted to anything threatening, and Star finished up on 137 for nine from 50 overs.
Sam Carlaw the pick of the bowlers with three for 42.
Davies lost opening partner James Laming and Willie Wright did not have much time to stay and chat with the talkative Star players as he departed for 10. Davies was joined by Dan Laming and posted a century stand. Davies passed Buckingham’s mark of 804 runs in a season, while on his way to a blazing century. Dan Laming opened his shoulders in hitting eight boundaries and four sixes.
Davies brought up his century, but Laming dragged one on to his stumps, on 85 from Jeremy Lane.
Davies struck 18 fours and two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 142 to leave his side on 263 for three at stumps.
He said it was great to pass the record, and admitted he was seeing the ball better with each game.
Roncalli had a mixed day against Timaru. Grant Watt’s five for 54, from 24 overs, gave his side hope of a good performance. What hurt was 45 extras, including 24 byes.
Timaru’s Dhananjaya Murari scored his second half century in two weeks in making 67 in bowler-friendly conditions to get his team to 187 all out.
Timaru captain Hayden Butler continued his strong form with the ball, taking three wickets. Roncalli lost six wickets before the close of play.
Roncalli captain Jacob Naylor hung tough to end the day on 48 not out, but will have to work with the tail to get the remaining 79 runs for first innings points.
The ball dominated the bat between Waimate and Temuka.
Despite being rolled for 139, Waimate were able to secure first innings points thanks to Reid’s spell of bowling.
Earlier, five for 51 from Tom McKnight had kept the brakes on Waimate, but his batsmen let his hard work go to waste.
Temuka could only manage 81 in reply, with the highest score out of either side on the day being just 28 from Waimate’s Nathan Sew Hoy.
Greg Hull 100 off 34 balls
HULL TON OFF 34 BALLS
Timaru senior reserve cricket player Greg Hull hit a century off 34 balls in his team’s 10-wicket win over Timaru Boys’ High School on Saturday.
Hull’s half century came up off just 14 balls. Timaru were chasing 110 for victory, and Hull successfully hit a six off the final ball to secure the century and the win. His opening partner ended on six not out.