Cricket: Technical face Marist for slot in nationals

Matt Edmondson

It's seldom a surprise on who should represent Hawke's Bay in the premier men's club national championship in Auckland each summer.

Complete Flooring Napier Technical Old Boys and The Station Napier Old Boys' Marist will play at Nelson Park, Napier, on December 20 to earn that right after Property Brokers-sponsored 50-over matches on Saturday.

NTOB thumped Heretaunga Building Society Cornwall CC by nine wickets in a game that did not go past 33 overs in either side's innings.

The hosts were 5-11 in as many overs, before Jono Hall and Angus Smith fought back to take them to 159 all out. Stevie Smidt and Liam Ruikuwai took three wickets each.

In reply, the visitors were 160-1 in 25 overs, with opener Matt Edmondson (85 runs) and Josh Paerau (50) making short work of it.

"We have a very strong team, complete with guys who are doing everything," NTOB skipper George Diack said. "It's pretty hard to ask for anything else."

NOBM were relieved to have won the toss at Anderson Park for their two-wicket victory over Bayleys Real Estate Havelock North CC.

"It was damp, green, seaming, giving swing and going all over the place," NOBM skipper Bevin Pollock said, after skittling the villagers for 105 in 44.1 overs.

No5 Ruan Markram scored 41 and Ben fair 19, as Brendan Quinn took 5-17.

NOBM chased down the total with 108-8 in 30.4 overs, with English player Jack Ward scoring 66 runs.

At Forest Gate Domain, Ongaonga, Ruahine Motors Central Hawke's Bay made 262-9 after Sharpies Driving Range Taradale CC put them in.

CD batsman Ben Smith was 102 not out, including a dozen fours and two sixes, while fellow opener Will Harker scored 43.

In reply, Dale were 103 all out, with Angus Schaw taking 4-16 and Charlie Robson 3-30.

CHB coach Colin Schaw felt Dale's agony of losing seamer Ben Stoyanoff early to injury.