Bowlers dominate first round

Ball mostly dominated bat when first-round matches in the Wairarapa Cricket Association's Bidwell Cup senior men's inter-club competition were played under the one innings format on Saturday.

Wairarapa College and Turkey Red Greytown both picked up 15 points for their winning efforts but their victories came in somewhat different circumstances.

Up against a depleted Flight Centre Lansdowne, Wairarapa College fielded first and placed themselves into a strong winning position when they had their opposition all out for just 94.

Apart from Justin Herbert with 35 Lansdowne's batsmen struggled to master an accurate Wairarapa College attack spearheaded by left-arm spinner Martin Reisima, who finished with 3-15 from 15 overs. Tane Workman with 2-11 from eight overs and Andy Williams with 4-13 off eight overs also had impressive figures.

Wairarapa College coach Jake Ross top-scored with 27 as they reached 94-3 to secure the win. Nick Griffith (15), Tim Griffith (18) and Andy Williams (14) also got themselves into double figures.

It was a comprehensive success for Wairarapa College, who will have the services of Netherlands skipper Peter Borren whenever he is available for future club play.

There was a nail-biting finish to the Greytown v Rathkeale match, amazingly after Greytown had dismissed the students for just 67. Ryan Tonkin's 11 not-out was the best effort there while there were some noteworthy bowling performances for Greytown. Blake Lyford took 5-10 from 10 overs, Daniel Haxton 2-11 from eight and Ben Hodder 2-9.

Greytown, who initially had only 10 players, struggled to overhaul the paltry Rathkeale tally. They got there with just one wicket to spare after persuading a Rathkeale student who had virtually no experience of cricket to fill the No 11 spot.

Henry Winton, an Englishman who is tutoring at Rathkeale, top-scored for Greytown with 18 while captain Dave Mills was 17 not-out.

Bowling for Rathkeale, Josh Mann took 4-19 from 10 overs and Jock Cameron 3-25 off 10 overs.

Points: Greytown and Wairarapa College 15, Rathkeale 5, Lansdowne 1.