GOOD CATCH: The South Canterbury under-16 Wicket-keeper Michael Hogan catches the ball after it beats Canterbury Country's Hugh Paterson at Aorangi Oval yesterday.
Nick Haack and Glen Drake powered the South Canterbury under-16 team to a 58-run victory over Canterbury Country at Aorangi Oval yesterday.
The home team made a perfect start to the Canterbury Regional tournament in Timaru, despite a middle-order collapse, and wayward start to their bowling effort.
Drake, 16, hit 97 off 88 balls, but his dismissal, after hitting 11 fours and three sixes, saw South Canterbury unravel at the crease. The team had looked strong early, after going at six runs an over for the first 20 overs.
It looked like they would get close to 300, when 250 was considered a par score.
Drake struggled for partners, however, and 102-2 soon became 126-5.
Dan O’Brien and Drake put on 47 runs for the sixth wicket, to stall the collapse, but soft dismissals hurt and they were all out for 222 in the 42nd over.
Scott Willoughby added 25 runs from number 10, while the more than 30 extras Canterbury Country conceded helped South Canterbury to a competitive total.
Canterbury Country’s opening bowler, George Butterick, took 3-43, including the crucial wicket of Drake.
South Canterbury under-16 coach Richard Davidson had ear-marked the game as an important one to win if his team wanted to make the semifinals, but he did not get much help from his bowlers early, as several loose deliveries were put away to the boundary.
Up stepped Haack, his spell of 5-50 from 10 overs proving good enough to shut down the Canterbury Country batsmen, who were skittled for 166.
In other results: Christchurch Metro Red beat Buller by 133 runs, after Buller were dismissed for 110 in reply to Christchurch Metro Red’s 243.
Mid Canterbury lost to Canterbury Metro White by two runs, as they were dismissed for 160.
Christchurch Metro Black thumped West Coast by 151 runs.
South Canterbury take on Buller at Mountainview High School today.