Too easy for Wairau

Stoke Nayland batsmen dismissed for 83 runs

SCOTT HAMMOND/Marlborough Express

EASY WIN: Wairau's Cleighten Cornelius goes on attack as Wairau cruise to victory.

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Wairau emphatically ensured the Kelvin Scoble Trophy remained in Marlborough hands with a seven wicket victory over Stoke Nayland in yesterday's Nelson-Marlborough senior cricket final at Horton Park.

A below-strength Stoke Nayland, playing without experienced batsmen Paul Capstick and Mark Douglas, could only muster 83, a total Wairau eclipsed in just the 16th over.

Wairau's win marks the second time they have won the combined competition in its three-year history.

After being asked to bat on a pitch that offered good pace and bounce, Stoke Nayland's top order showed little resistance against an accurate Wairau pace attack, quickly slumping to 21 for five.

Geoff Barnett and Cleighten Cornelius were both able to get movement in the air while Stoke Nayland's batsmen also paid the price for loose stroke play. Barnett and keeper Marty Campbell combined to remove both Peter Younghusband (1) and Ryan Edwards (0) in Barnett's first over. Cornelius picked up wickets in consecutive overs while Barnett added his third when Ben Homan shouldered arms and was bowled for one.

Opener Dwayne Valentine survived the carnage but, as with the rest of the line up, struggled to score.

He was eventually the eighth man dismissed, bowled by Greg Logan, after scoring 25 off 57 balls.

He received little support with only Mitchell Drummond (11) passing double figures as Stoke Nayland struggled against tight Wairau bowling to be all out in the 35th over.

Cornelius and Barnett did most of the damage with 4-25 and 3-20 respectively, while Logan took two wickets without conceding a run in three overs.

Wairau made short work of the run chase despite losing three early wickets, including Barnett first ball of the innings to Darius Skeaping.

Skeaping also picked up Marty Campbell (4) and when Andrew McCaa (20) was stumped by Drummond off Younghusband, Wairau were 36 for three.

Cornelius and Bryce Smith weren't fazed by the situation, Cornelius in particular deciding attack was the best option. He scored a run-a-ball 33 while Smith added 25 off 37 balls as Wairau cruised home off the third ball of the 15th over.

Skeaping was the pick of the Stoke Nayland attack, finishing with 2-40 off eight consecutive overs.

Wairau skipper Vaughan Harris said the combined competition was one the team targeted each season and they were pleased to reclaim the title.

While Harris said it was disappointing Stoke Nayland couldn't field their strongest team he praised his side's bowlers for a clinical effort.

The title is Wairau's second this year, after also taking the Twenty20 competition.

They will line up in the Marlborough two-day final next weekend, followed by the one-day final on March 27 as they look for an unprecedented sweep of all four crowns.

- © Fairfax NZ News