Edwards' superb effort puts Karori in final

BY JONATHAN MILLMOW

Karori allrounder Lee Edwards turned in a performance that Ian Botham would have been proud of in club cricket on Saturday.

The 30-year-old took 10 wickets and scored a quickfire century to propel Karori to victory by an innings and nine runs over Taita, and with it a place in the Pearce Cup final.

No prize for guessing who their opponent will be in the final. Yes, Eastern Suburbs, who gained enough points from their drawn game with Naenae to book a place with two rounds remaining.

Botham, the former great England allrounder, never used to do things by halves and Edwards certainly didn't against Taita.

He took 4-48 and 6-44 and, in between, took great delight in cracking his maiden century from 94 balls after 13 seasons of trying.

"It's been a long time coming, and to top if off with a 10-for is pretty satisfying," Edwards said.

he bowls medium-fast and usually bats at No8. However, a "promotion" to No7 worked the oracle, although it was still a close run thing as he neared three figures.

"A message came out from the captain [Simon Baker] that he wanted to declare and that I had two overs to get 20," Edwards said.

"I was batting with my flatmate [Fletcher Te Aika] and he did a good job getting me on strike.

"I said to him the rent will be going up significantly if you don't see me through to my 100."

Karori eventually declared at 324-8 and then Edwards and Harry Wright (4-39), son of John Wright, shared the 10 wickets between them as Taita folded for 160.

East were set 241 to win by Naenae but finished on 120-6.

Still they banked first innings points and top the standings with two rounds remaining.

They have 99.84 points, Karori are on 98.95 and third-placed Onslow are 63.36. Onslow would have been closer had they not come up five runs short of the target set them by Hutt Districts. Onslow finished at 146-7 with Sam Foley 61 not out.

In the other game, Norths took first innings points over University.

There was also an individual star in the Hazlett Trophy competition.

Taita B captain Matt Lewer followed on from his unbeaten 80 in the first innings with an unbeaten 104 in the second and two wickets but, sadly for him, the game against Karori B finished in a draw.

Wellington Collegians remain the leaders after a seven-wicket victory over Petone Riverside. Collegians' hero was Julian Brown, who took 7-42.

Johnsonville's match against Upper Hutt went down to the wire. Johnsonville started the final day needing 103 to win but were always behind the eight-ball. At 72-9 their cause looked hopeless but the last wicket pair of Ryan Isaac and David Hudson added 31 to record a dramatic win.

In the remaining game, Wellington College showed backbone to draw with North City B.

- © Fairfax NZ News