Sport: United no match for Old Boys

Brendan Walker was the only Wanganui United batsman to prosper against New Plymouth Olds Boys in their game at Pukekura Park on Saturday. Photo/File

The best of Wanganui Premier cricket remains outmatched against the best of Taranaki as Property Brokers United's low total was picked off comfortably for a seven-wicket loss to New Plymouth Old Boys in their Central Districts one-day club playoff in New Plymouth on Saturday.

Batting first on a good strip at Pukekura Park, United's main hopes in their opening pair of youngster Chris Sharrock and the returning Tom Lance were both pinned down, collectively making only 13 from 58 balls before their dismissals.

Struggling to lift their run rate, United's middle order in captain Max Carroll, Gerard Hobbs and Robbie Power all got starts but with only 47 runs on the board by the 20th over, a challenging total seemed remote.

Seven of the eight NPOB bowlers used captured wickets.

Only United invitational player Brett Cameron (35 from 66 balls) could make initial inroads, then Brendan Walker showed some real fight in the tail, although he rapidly ran out of partners at the end.

Walker was eventually the last one dismissed for 53 off 50 balls, including nine boundaries.

"If we all batted like that," Carroll lamented.

"We all got starts but no-one kicked on.

"We obviously came up probably 100-150 runs short; it was a 300 wicket."

In reply, NPOB picked up where they left off in their Taranaki one-day final victory over Woodleigh the previous weekend, as veteran Jamie Watkins (65) and teenager James McDougall (64 not out) compiled another big partnership.

NPOB scored at over five runs-an-over to reach the meagre target in the 29th over.

"Watkins is not the most technical but he knows how to play that deck he swung through the line and clean," said Carroll.

"That other player [McDougall], he's a class player."

Scoring at better than a run a ball, the lethal pair collectively hit 12 balls to the boundary and put six more deliveries over the rope.

NPOB will now travel to Palmerston North to play the final of the Central Districts one-day competition for a spot at the national club finals. Heading into January, the Porter Hire Premier 1 teams will play a 110-over format competition, while the Premier 2 teams will play a 40-over format.

There will also be the finals of the combined Twenty20 competition, while the Active Physio Wanganui representative team will play their remaining Hawke Cup matches against Manawatu and Hawkes Bay.