Defending Coastal Challenge Cup champions St Johns Tech kept their hopes of a playoff spot alive with a five wicket win over Kapiti Old Boys in their rain reduced match in Raumati on Saturday.
Playing a 30-over match, Kapiti set down a challenging 164-8 with a 5.47 run rate, ledby opener Ben Strang swatting 56 from 38 balls, supported by Martin Harrison (26) while the rest of the top order made scores in the teens.
After taking an early pounding while also conceeding several extras, Tech made a good fightback after the Kapiti openers put on 83 in less than ten overs.
Allrounder Akash Gill (3-34) got into Kapiti's middle order to prevent them capitalising further on their good start, while the returning Trent Hemi (1-20) and spinner Jessica Watkin (1-16) were very conservative from their six overs each.
In reply, Tech scored swiftly themselves, getting good service from their rejigged top order, to have the winning runs secured with five overs remaining.
Fraser Kinnerley (33) and Quintin Purvis (34) put on a solid opening partnership, and then Gill (44 not out from 33 balls) carried on the momentum, hitting four boundaries and a six.
While there was some nervous moments when Nick Harding and Dominic Lock fell cheaply, Ross Kinnerley (17) and Kane Watkin (15 not out) stayed with Gill to see them home, as Tech got some payback on Strang by swiping 59 from his six overs.
The win over the lowest ranked Horowhenua-Kapiti team keeps Tech in fourth spot, but they will have a tough lead-in to the semifinals as they face second-placed Property Brokers United this weekend, followed by current fifth team Levin Old Boys at Donnelly Park in the last round.
Scoreboard Kapiti Old Boys 164-8 (B Strang 56, M Harrison 26, A Gill 3-34) lost to Tech 168-5 (A Gill 44no, Q Purvis 34, F Kinnerley 30, J Smith 2-24) by five wickets.
