Curtis drives Kuranui by notching 30th ton

The so-called "nervous 90s" didn't bother Sam Curtis one iota during his unbeaten 106 for A1 Homes Kuranui Old Boys in their Umpire's Cup senior men's cricket club match with Lansdowne at the Park Sportsground on Saturday.

There was no sign of playing it safe for Curtis who bought up his century with two successive 6s, both from pull shots to balls pitched short of a length.

Reaching three figures is nothing new for Curtis, who has now made 30 in a career which has seen him have successful stints overseas as well as playing for Central Districts A and Wairarapa on the representative scene.

But his latest knock probably had a greater element of good fortune about it than most in that he was dropped in the slips before he had even got off the mark.

"I thought it might be my lucky day when that happened, "Curtis said later. "I was a bit scratchy early on but once I started middling a few the confidence grew and it was all good."

The Curtis knock included seven 4s and five 6s and he was the main catalyst in Kuranui Old Boys reaching a healthy 255 in their 50 overs. Max Glengarry (28) and Tony Russo (21) gave him handy support.

Impressive as his effort was, though, Curtis says he is "very unlikely" to revisit an earlier decision not to make himself available for Wairarapa this season. He is in his first season as selector-coach of the rep side and is keen to focus more on developing his skills in those roles.

Lansdowne's batting effort was highlighted by a well-made 68 by Wairarapa captain Henry Cameron but they never looked like overhauling the Kuranui Old Boys total and were all out for 165. Medium pacer Darin Towgood did the damage with the ball for Kuranui Old Boys, taking 5 for 34 from his 10 overs.

Meanwhile, Ratheale College scored a convincing eight wicket win over Newbolds Marist Old Boys in their Umpire's Cup match played at Rathkeale College.

Batting first Marist Old Boys were always struggling against an accurate Rathkeale College attack and were dismissed for 110. Robbie Speers compiled a patient 44 and his partnership with Ryan Hardman (13) was worth 57 runs. Liam Price (24) and Shaun Grey (10) were the only other batsmen to make it into double figures.

Bowling for Rathkeale College George Deans and John Ryan did the most damage, Deans finishing with 3 for 11 and Ryan 3 for 18.

Rathkeale College made short work of overtaking the Marist Old Boy's total, reaching 111 for the loss of just two wickets. Elliot Mason top scored with 34 while Liam Burling made 27 and George Deans 20.

The pick of the Marist Old Boys bowlers was Shaun Grey who finished with 1 for 10 from his six overs.

And Wairarapa College recorded a 22-run win over Turkey Red Greytown. Lucian Burt, 84 not out, and Jack Wakeling , 62, top scored as Wairarapa College made 260-9 and Greytown was all out for 238.

Umpires Cup points: Kuranui Old Boys and Wairarapa College 8, Greytown and Rathkeale College 4, Red Star, Marist Old Boys and Lansdowne 0.