Michael Guptill-Bunce helped Cornwall to a rain-affected final win. Photo / Dean Purcell
Cornwall made it two in a row for Auckland sides as they took out a rain-affected national club cricket championships final against Sydenham yesterday.
A dominating innings from the Cornwall top order set the groundwork for an imposing total of 296. They lost Hamish McCarthy early but then
Rob Nicol (79) continued his great form, and in partnership with Michael Guptill-Bunce (55), put Cornwall in a strong position.
Sydenham got off to a bright start but Hamish McCarthy (3-18) put the brakes on and when rain stopped play for the day Sydenham were well behind where they needed to be on run rate.
Jordan Sheed posted his third hundred of the tournament in leading Green Island to third place. Sheed (118) and Hayden Finch (67) were the cornerstones of the Green Island effort which allowed them to get to 298.
Hawera lost early wickets in their reply, with only Mark Parsons (64) posting a score of any significance, and were well behind in their chase when the rain came, leaving them to settle for fourth.
Naenae provided the most remarkable turnaround of the tournament, as only a day after they were skittled for 42 they bounced back to smash 401 against City claiming fifth spot.
In reply City were going along at a cracking pace before the heavens opened, with Joey Yovich (75) leading the charge, but it was still not enough to be ahead of the required run rate.
