A1 Homes Kuranui Old Boys joined Wairarapa College at the top of the points table with a seven-wicket win over Newbolds Marist Old Boys in their Wairarapa Cricket Association Umpire's Cup match on Saturday.
Batting first Marist Old Boys started poorly by losing a couple of early wickets anddespite gutsy knocks by captain Elliot Bird and Jock Anderson they were all out for 86. Bird's 14 came off 69 balls while Anderson was unbeaten on 25.
Spearheading the Kuranui Old Boys attack was spinner Nash Patel who took 3-21 from his 10 overs. Also impressing were Tony Russo, who finished with 2-16 off 10 overs, and Darin Twogood, who took 2-14 off six overs.
Kuranui Old Boys reached their target for the loss of three wickets, thanks mainly to a fine unbeaten 41 by Darren Dingle. Bowling for Marist Old Boys, Anderson completed a useful day's work by taking 1-11 off five overs.
Red Star beat Rathkeale College by six wickets after the students had batted first and made 166. Harry Clinton-Baker (46) and Zac Cordwell (41) provided the bulk of their runs while bowling for Red Star Jared Watt took 3-35 and John Wells 4-16.
It was Troy Burling who led the charge when Red Star got through to 167-4.
He struck an aggressive 87 and Chris Wendon gave good support with 41.
Flight Centre Lansdowne accounted for Turkey Red Greytown by 26 runs. Lansdowne made 166 with Hayden Barrett reaching 32 and Tom Adamson 30. Bowling for Greytown Martin Reisima finished with the excellent figures of 5-29 and Harry Greenwood 3-24. Greytown was all out for 140 in reply, Jock Cameron being the pick of the Lansdowne bowlers with 3-12.
Kuranui Old Boys and Wairarapa College - who had the bye on Saturday - head the Umpires Cup points table with 14 points, followed by Lansdowne and Red Star on 10, Greytown and Rathkeale on 6 and Marist Old Boys on 0.
