Blundell falters one short of ton

Tom Blundell went within a whisker of his maiden century, perishing for 99 as Karori kept the heat on Eastern Suburbs in Wellington's premier club competition.

Karori beat Hutt District by 15 runs yesterday as rain affected most club one-dayers.

Batting first Karori posted 225-9, with former Wellington age-group representative Blundell falling agonisingly short of his first premier ton when he holed out in the deep for 99.

In-form Stephen Murdoch added 40 while Tom Robertson (3-31) was the best of Hutt's bowlers.

Rain adjusted Hutt's target to 116 from 25 overs and Wellington wicketkeeper Chris Nevin (49) almost got them home before eventually being bowled out for 100.

Off-spinner Jarrad Sewell was Karori's most successful bowler, claiming 3-14.

Karori's win means they join Easts and North City at the top of the pile with four wins, one loss and one draw records.

"It was a satisfying performance," Karori captain Simon Baker said.

"Tom's innings was flawless until his dismissal, so that was a shame. But he's a good player and I'm sure he'll get many more opportunities for club hundreds."

Norths beat Easts on the back of 58 not out from Michael Martin.

Nick Walters added 33 as Norths posted 147-4 in reply to Easts' 162 for a win on run-rate.

Earlier Michael Hayward (3-24) and Ben Turner (3-56) took wickets for Norths, while Josh McLauchlan was Easts' top-scorer with 46.

Former Wellington batsman Steve Gellatly scored 100 to help Taita beat Naenae Old Boys.

Dave Houghton added 33 not out in Taita's 230-8, with Michael Cornish snaring 3-32.

Ronald Karaitiana hit 42 not out in reply but Naenae's 125-7 was not enough on run-rate.

Onslow made short work of University, Andy Thompson taking 3-13 as the students were rolled for just 98.

Thompson then hit 32 as Onslow cruised home by seven wickets.

In the senior competition, Taita B beat Wellington College.

Corey Larsen top-scored with 39 not out for College (152), who were troubled by the evergreen David Little (5-17).

Jason Doyle then hit 54 not out as Taita won by five wickets.

Petone-Riverside beat Johnsonville by 15 runs on run-rate.

Gareth Powell took 3-23 in Petone's 177-9 and Johnsonville came up short at 123-8.

Upper Hutt beat Karori B on run-rate after Karori had scored 237 batting first.

Oliver Redwood (59) and Stefan Allen (54) hit fifties, while Louis Davidson-Powell (3-39) and Shane Brocklebank (3-52) took vital scalps.

Matt Taylor then starred with 73 as Upper Hutt's 207-7 was enough on run-rate. Collegians (249) trounced Norths B (85).

In Saturday's Twenty20 rounds, Naenae, Norths and Onslow all recorded two wins in the premier grade.

Ben Jansen's unbeaten 52 helped Norths to 124-5 and a 46-run victory over Easts.

Craig Shanks took 3-16 as Easts were dismissed for 78, while former Black Cap Mark Gillespie claimed 3-18 in his first game of the summer.

Norths then backed up to score 150-4 in a 32-run defeat of University.

Jansen (3-14) and Shanks (3-16) led the way with the ball as University could only muster 118-9.

Naenae defeated neighbours Taita by four wickets, despite Ollie O'Leary hitting 67 in Taita's target of 147. Naenae then defeated Karori by 32 runs.

Karori's Baker took 3-20 in Naenae's 122, but Marcel Wratt sparked a collapse taking 5-12 as Karori slumped from 69-0 to 90 all out.

Onslow beat University on the super over rule.

Scores were tied at 97 after 20 overs but Onslow's super over of 8-0 edged University's 7-2.

Onslow then upset Easts by 23 runs, with former Easts player Jimad Khan (63) shining in Onslow's 137-6.

Khan capped a good day with 3-27 as Easts were restricted to 114-9.

Karori (137-6) defeated Hutt (125-5) despite Robertson's 61 and Hutt also lost to Taita.

Stephen Myburgh, the brother of Canterbury batsman Johann, slammed 98 off 62 balls as Hutt racked up 171-7.

But Taita completed a six-wicket win thanks to contributions from O'Leary (62) and Mark Houghton (54).

In senior, College, Johnsonville and Upper Hutt all recorded two wins.

College (126-5) beat Karori B (89-7) and Petone (92-8) by six wickets, with Scott Archer taking 4-19.

Johnsonville beat Petone (71-8) by seven wickets and Karori B by 24 runs.

Upper Hutt beat Norths B (99) by six wickets and Taita B by 14 runs.

Taita B beat Collegians by three wickets before Collegians bounced back to shade Norths by 11 runs.

- © Fairfax NZ News