Defending Coastal Challenge Cup champions St Johns Tech kept their hopes of a playoff spot alive with a five wicket win over Kapiti Old Boys in their rain reduced match in Raumati on Saturday.
Playing a 30-over match, Kapiti set down a challenging 164-8 with a 5.47 run rate, led by opener Ben Strang swatting 56 from 38 balls, supported by Martin Harrison (26) while the rest of the top order made scores in the teens.
After taking an early pounding while also conceeding several extras, Tech made a good fightback after the Kapiti openers put on 83 in less than ten overs.
Allrounder Akash Gill (3-34) got into Kapiti's middle order to prevent them capitalising further on their good start, while the returning Trent Hemi (1-20) and spinner Jessica Watkin (1-16) were very conservative from their six overs each.
In reply, Tech scored swiftly themselves, getting good service from their rejigged top order, to have the winning runs secured with five overs remaining.