Batting collapses in Tweedy Cup play

The first day's play in the penultimate round of the Tweedy Cup, while not notable for the standard of cricket with the rep players away, saw a number of firsts as players and veterans stepped up to fill the gaps.

Leading the way was Grant Watt. An opening bowler, it must have been a surprise to the Timaru team when he strode to the wicket alongside Ryan de Joux to open the batting for Celtic, something he has never done before.

Watt scored 50 and was the main contributor to an opening partnership of 94 on a difficult track.

Timaru were short of regular bowlers and when captain Hayden Butler broke down in his fourth over, their situation worsened.

Robbie Rankin stood up for his team and was rewarded with his first senior five-wicket bag after 15 overs, while Josh Smallridge also bowled well to take 3-23.

At one stage Celtic lost seven wickets for 24 runs before Jarrod Wolfenden and Willie Scott forged a 56-run partnership. Scott achieved his highest senior score (27) and Celtic eventually finished up with a very respectable 182.

Timaru's chase for first innings points was soon in disarray as they slumped to 53-6.

However some lusty blows by Gus Bishop, who finished 44 not out, meant that Timaru managed to notch up 136, only 46 runs behind.

Batting a second time, Celtic lost both Ryan and Ants de Joux but had 67-2 at stumps – a 113-run lead – and look favourites to add another outright win to their season.

In Geraldine, Star are pressing hard for first innings points after half centuries to Paul Arkinstall and Chris Anders helped them to 193-7 when the declaration came. In reply Geraldine, led by Michael King with 56, are 141-6 with another 10 overs left before they have to declare.

It would seem likely that Star will get first innings points, but they may not have enough time to achieve an outright result.

In arguably the game of the round, Waimate and Temuka squared off in Temuka.

Waimate batted first and scored 172 with three batsmen reaching the 30s, while Temuka's Paul Coles, with three wickets, was well supported by Dillon Lees, Michael Geddis and Ritchie Preston, who each took two wickets.

In reply Temuka have wickets in hand as they chase first innings points, but their scoring has been slow. With the score at 119-5 with only eight overs to bat before the compulsory declaration, Temuka may look at declaring behind, but not before Richard Opie – currently 47 not out – has a chance to score a 50.

An outright win to either Waimate or Temuka would move them to outright second.

- © Fairfax NZ News