Fraser anchors Marist to defendable total in win

Patience from a veteran on Wanganui's most challenging batting strip proved the difference in Marist's victory at Collegiate's home to end round one of Premier League on Saturday.

On the dried-out strip and long boundaries where scores exceeding 170 have proved defendable, Marist were pleased to work their way through to 201-8, and after breaking the Collegiate's key partnership from Andre Halbert and Charlie Robson, brought the match to a swift conclusion for a 51-run win.

Mark Fraser provided the vital component on the college ground an anchor cultivating 81, with the next best hands being captain Brett Turner and Brett Cameron with 24 each.

Fraser struck seven boundaries in his innings.

"You just had to wait for the poor deliveries," he said.

"If you look at the scorecard, probably 70 per cent of the balls were dot balls.

"We thought we had to get to 160 to win the game. It's a difficult wicket to bat on."

Despite a few wides, Robson tightened up to be Collegiate's best bowler with 3-33 from his eight overs, backed by Taylor Melcsan (2-25) and Monty Blackwood (2-56).

After losing early wickets, Collegiate's lineup saw what was possible from Halbert (52) and Robson (38) whose 50 partnership was marked by intelligent strokes into the gaps and quick pace between the wickets as the scoreboard clicked past 100.

Francis Kinnerly was none too happy after a couple of close lbw shouts and dropped catches in the field, but when Turner grasped a skied shot from Robson in the 22nd over, the die was cast.

Kinnerly finished with four wickets as Collegiate's tail folded at 150.

In Marton, a century by captain Dominic Rayner led Saracens to an important three-wicket win over United to lift them to the top of the Premier League table after an unbeaten run from four games.

Results

Porter Hire Premier 1: Silks Audit Marist 201-8 (M Fraser 81, B Turner 24, C Robson 3-33) beat WCS 150 (A Halbert 52, C Robson 38, F Kinnerly 4-58, T Czerwonka 2-10).

David Jones Motors United 221-5 (A McCaa 63no, T McIlwaine 42, S Holloway 34, D Rayner 2-39) lost to Marton Saracens 223-7 (D Rayner 117no, H Collier 33)

Porter Hire Premier 2: Renegades 85 (S Sreekumar 38, J George 5-28, F Falloon 5-23) lost to WHSOB 89-7 (P Lett 24, M Deighton 3-27, R Slight 3-27).

Taihape 168 (R Irons 65no, B Toyne 3-25, R Verma 2-25) lost to United 169-7 (A Kenny 33, R Verma 25no).

Saracens 111-5 (J Lock 32, M Transom 30) beat WHS 110 (A Gill 31, A Pond 5-11).