Winning warmup for College team

Nelson College had the perfect buildup for their upcoming Darcy and Gillete Cup games next month with three convincing wins in a quadrangular First XI cricket tournament this week.

The four teams competing were Nelson College, Marlborough Boys' College, Rathkeale College and a Nelson Invitational side comprised mainly of past and present Waimea College players, as well as some from Nayland College.

On Monday, Nelson College played Rathkeale, resulting in a comfortable win by seven wickets.

Rathkeale batted first on an excellent wicket at the Marden Rec, but could manage only 123. The leading bowler for Nelson College was Oliver Jones Allen, who took 3-10 off 7.1 overs.

After the early loss of three wickets, Giles Black (64 not out) and Joel Harden (37 not out) combined to knock off the remaining runs.

At Victory Square, the Nelson Invitational side played Marlborough, resulting in a good win for the Invitational team by 40 runs.

The Invitational team managed 267 all out, with Hamish Drummond making 79 and Tom Ingham 43. Damian Sexton took 4-48 for Marlborough.

In reply, Marlborough managed 227, with Dan Wightman taking 2-28 and Matt Weir 2-36.

On day two, both games were played at Victory Square, with Nelson College beating the Invitational team by four wickets.

The Invitational side made 254, with Drummond scoring 70 and Wightman 71, while Daniel Grimes took 4-30.

In reply, Nelson College batted very well, with a number of good contributions.

Giles Black scored quickly with 69 off 50 balls, backed up by Ben Gully with 75.

On Victory 2, Marlborough completed a comfortable victory over Rathkeale.

Wednesday saw the Invitational team take on Rathkeale, and they managed a two-wicket win chasing 175.

Clinton Baker top scored for Rathkeale with 54, and there were some good bowling performances for the Invitational team, with Mitchell Ross taking 4-29, Brody Hanna 2-29 and Sam Field 2-24.

In reply, Tom Ingham scored 67 and Luca Roden 27.

With a small boundary on one side at Victory 1, the Nelson College game against Marlborough resulted in a high-scoring contest.

Nelson College managed an imposing total of 297, with captain Mitchell Drummond smashing 131 off 95 balls, including nine sixes.

Ben Gully scored 57 and David Havilli 38.

In reply, Marlborough managed a very creditable score of 265 for 9, with George Kenny making a fine 111.

On a tough day for the bowlers, Nelson's Adam Leonard took 4-46 and young legspinner Rylea Hart 2-57.

Nelson College won by 32 runs, giving them a clean sweep for the tournament.

- © Fairfax NZ News