POWERBALL: Star opening bowler Alex McDuff powers through a delivery during the Tweedy Cup match against Roncalli/Celtic and Mountainview High School on Saturday.
Star enjoyed one its most dominant days in senior cricket in recent years to have Roncalli/Celtic in tatters after day one of its Tweedy Cup encounter at Mountainview High School.
On the back of four wickets from left-arm quick Craig Hinton and three from Hamish Dickson, the hosts skittled the visitors for just 85, then a patient 54 from opener Phil McGregor and late plundering from Terry McErlain meant Star declared at 226 for six.
A further three wickets from Hinton had Roncalli/Celtic 31 for three at stumps, still a further 110 runs to make Star bat again.
Roncalli struggled to come to terms with a pitch which generated steep bounce at odd times.
The poppy nature of the wicket caught out many of the visiting batsmen and Hinton’s nagging line made him a constant threat throughout the innings.
Only Liam Beck’s unbeaten 52 saved Roncalli/Celtic from further embarrassment.
McGregor’s 54 was made with typical early patience.
He received good support from fellow opener Matt Brown (48) and Paul Arkinstall (45), who both threw away the chance to get to 50.
The innings stumbled when Star lost four wickets for 17 runs, but a quick-fire 36 from McErlain got the lead into three figures.
In the other matches; half centuries to Prabodha Arthavidu (89), Zane Sanders (79) and a maiden senior 50 for Ben Fraser (52) have Timaru in complete control against Temuka at Temuka Oval.
Nick Galwey starred with the ball as his four for 31 helped restrict the home team to just 143 after the Magpies fell victim to soft dismissals and poor shot selection in its first innings.
The trio of half centuries had Timaru declare on 267 for seven, with Temuka pace bowler Nathan McNicol the best of the home team taking three for 39.
Temuka were 25 without loss in reply at stumps, still needing another 99 runs to make Timaru bat again.
Waimate slumped with the bat against Celtic only to resurrect their chances with the ball in an even encounter at Knottingly Park.
Waimate were rolled for just 102 thanks largely to five for 30 from James Blackstock who continues to be a menace at club level with his accurate seamers.
Only Murray Prattley’s 44 got Waimate to three figures, but it was Reuben Allan’s five for 28 and Connor Farrell’s four for 20, which saw Celtic lose its last eight wickets for 46 runs to be bundled out for just 106.
Waimate are 55 for two at stumps, a lead of 52 runs.