Cricket: Nine-man Saracens prove too good for United

Marton captain Dominic Rayner brings up his 50 with a six against United at Victoria Park on Saturday. Photo/Bevan Conley

An understrength Matt Burke Engineering Marton Saracens overcame a two-player disadvantage to knock over Property Brokers United by 14 runs in the final game of the 2014 Premier League season at Victoria Park.

With Bayer Marist having already secured the championship the weekend before, both teams were playing for pride on Saturday, but Saracens had been hit with the end-of-season blues as rugby and hockey commitments took away a few of their players.

They struggled at the start when United bowler Brendan Walker got openers James Linklater and Scott Oliver early, before captain Dominic Rayner led the recovery to 107-4 after 34 overs, top scoring with 58 and bringing up his half century with a six.

However, his departure saw another mini-collapse and Saracens were dismissed for 124.

Spinner Tom Lance claimed four wickets, while Walker and Dylan Martin got the remainder between them.

While Marton lacked the manpower to build a good innings, United lacked the ability at the crease as they were all out for 110 after 43 overs.

Rayner said the home team made poor decisions on the average pitch.

"You had to bat for five to 10 overs then start pushing it along, but a few of their guys started from the first ball."

Only Walker with a solid 30-odd in the tail made any kind on impression on the scoreboard.

While a disappointing end for the premier team, the club still had reason to celebrate as David Jones United 2nd XI won the Premier 2 title, beating St Johns Tech 2nd XI in the final.

In the non-points Premier League match, St Johns Tech 1st XI finished their season on a high, beating Wanganui Collegiate by 76 runs on the school's No1 pitch.

On a wicket which surprisingly played with good bounce, Tech scored 172-9, then bowled Collegiate out for 96.