Wairau recover well in run chase

Wairau continue to set the second-grade standard after a four-wicket win over Picton at Horton Park on Saturday.

The competition leaders dismissed Picton for 124 but struggled to reach the low total, slumping to 55 for six before a 70-run seventh-wicket stand between Justin Clark and Brad Pope guided them to victory.

Clark finished unbeaten on 42 and Pope made 23. Owen Williams did the damage early for Picton with 3-14 from 10 overs. Paul Clarke top-scored for Picton with 28, while Blair Sowman took 4-21 and Pope 3-30.

Renwick withstood an aggressive spell of bowling from Wairau Valley quickie Damon Smith to post a five-wicket win at the Renwick Domain. Defending a mediocre 126, Smith grabbed 5-25 to give his side a chance. However, Renwick completed the chase led by 49 from Mark Zillwood.

Earlier, Wayne Smith was the mainstay of Valley's innings with 49, while Nick Bullock led a consistent Renwick attack with 3-10.

Celtic held off Celtic Pogues by 57 runs in their club derby to strengthen their grip on third spot. Celtic scored 182 off 43 overs with Troy Looms 68 not out.

Reuben Kepes took 3-37 for Pogues. In reply, Pogues were bowled out for 125 in the 42nd over, Tom Argyle top-scoring with 30. Tony Fitzpatrick, Troy Looms and Andy Holdaway all took two wickets for Celtic.

Results:

Picton 124 (P Clarke 28, J Holland 24, B Pope 3-30, B Sowman 4-21) lost to Wairau 125 for 6 (J Clark 42no, B Pope 23no, O Williams 3-14) by four wickets.

Wairau Valley 126 (P Lankshear 27, W Smith 49, N Bullock 3-10, M Zillwood 2-23, H Harris 2-28) lost to Renwick 128 for 5 (M Bown 29, M Zillwood 49, D Smith 5-25) by five wickets.

Celtic 182 (T Looms 68no, R kepes 3-37, T Argyle 2-17) beat Celtic Pogues 125 (T Argyle 30, N Rhodes 29, R Bovey 22, T Fitzpatrick 2-20, T Looms 2-21, A Holdaway 2-24) by 57 runs.

Points: Wairau 48, Renwick 42, Celtic 36, Wairau Valley 28, Celtic Pogues 24, Picton 18.

- The Marlborough Express