South Canterbury JAB cricket teams played Christchurch Metro in three matches at Geraldine Oval on Sunday. Two of these were lost, but the SC Primary A team pulled off a rare win in a tight game.
Batting first, SC reached 123 for 9 off 50 overs on an outfield more suited for winter sports codes.
Patrick Simpson (38) and Alistair Harvey (19) batted well, putting on a 50-run partnership for the third wicket. A cameo from James Hawkey (13 not out) and Conor Scott saw SC through to a modest 123 runs.
Fast bowler Liam Cosgrove took the top off the Christchurch batting order and they were in trouble at 29 for 4.
At 83 for five the game was in the balance, but some tight boling from Brett Walker, Michael Lees, Conor Scott and Nick O’Brien, backed up by excellent fielding and catching saw wickets fall at regular intervals.
With pressure mounting, the last five Christchurch wickets fell for just 28 runs, to give SC the win by 13 runs.
The SC Development team, batting first, were all out for 105, with only Steve Phillips (25) making it into double figures. Metro reached their target for the loss of three wickets, with Fred Scott and Caleb Grace claiming a wicket a piece.
A young SC year 5 and 6 team also struggled against their Christchurch opposition, being dismissed for 71 runs, with Will Harvey top-scoring with 14 runs. In reply Metro raced to their target in 14 overs, but not before Ben Aicken had taken three wickets.