Willie ‘Nibbles’ Stone’s half century led Temuka to victory
Temuka opener Willy Stone terrorised the Star bowling attack again, as he helped his Magpies to a 78-run win over Star in South Canterbury senior cricket.
The enigmatic batsman, who scored his first senior century against Star last season, hit a crucial 53 in the victory on Saturday, on a day where most teams batting first struggled.
Timaru beat Roncalli/Celtic by seven wickets and Celtic were too good for Waimate, winning by eight wickets in similarly low-scoring games.
Stone and opening partner Robbie Barry put on 75 to set a winning platform for the visitors.
Captain Hayden Broker made a timely 33 to hold the middle of the innings together.
Even though they were all out in the 41st over, Temuka’s total of 178 was more than enough against a faltering Star batting lineup.
Craig Hinton and Dale Warwood took three wickets each to keep Star in the match and peg back the run rate after Temuka’s strong start.
The Star top order never got going in the face of some staunch opening bowling from Temuka’s leading wicket taker Kevin Teahen.
Teahen finished with 3-7 from six overs, with his early strikes helping reduce Star to 51-7 at one point.
Only 23 from comeback batsman Paul Arkinstall and an unbeaten 25 from youngster Nick Haack got Star to triple figures, just – they were dismissed for 100.
Timaru had no problem brushing aside Roncalli/Celtic on a slow Ashbury Park 4.
Roncalli/Celtic continue to struggle to find batsmen beyond the Beck brothers.
The Timaru spin duo of Zane Sanders (4-18) and Prabodha Arthavidu (3-17) combined for 18 tight overs that the visiting team had no answer for.
Adam Beck, who made 23 at the top of the order, and his brother Liam and Ants de Joux, who both made 11, were the only batsmen to reach double figures.
Roncalli/Celtic made it to 43 before they lost their first wicket but the rest of the order failed to capitalise and they were bundled out for 96.
Timaru made light work of the target.
Openers Jason McConnell (38) and Ben Fraser (29) did most of the work and while Liam Cosgrove grabbed two late wickets, the result was never in doubt.
Waimate could muster only 86 batting first against Celtic.
Both teams were not at full strength but Celtic had little trouble in getting the small target.