United fight but come up short

Matt Boswell carried his bat through United's innings to give them a fighting chance with 91 not out in Palmerston North on Saturday.

Property Brokers United gave a full account of themselves against heavy favourites Napier Tech, but a horror start with the bat could not be overcome in the narrow three wicket loss at Fitzherbert Park on Saturday.

At their first ever Central Districts knockout tournament for the National Club Championship, United were considered the lightweight of the four attending teams, and struggled out of the gate at 4-2 and then 23-4 with experianced batsmen Gerard Hobbs, Robbie Power and Greg Smith all back in the shed by the 12th over.

However, opener Matt Boswell stepped up and entrenched himself - carrying his bat through the entire innings to finish unbeaten on 91 after surviving 141 watchful deliveries.

He was joined for a crucial 159 partnership by Simon Badger (77 from 102), as they guided the team through until the 47th over to ensure United would bat out the full 50 overs, and eventually click over the key psychological barrier by making 207-7.

However, the 4.14 required run rate did not seem big enough to put the pressure on the favourites, who started positively until bowlers Ryan Slight (1-39) and Badger (1-34) struck back for 19-2 after three overs.

Realising the runs would come if wickets were protected, Napier began to make their way slowly towards their middling target, with Izaiah Lange (30) and Liam Rukuwai (25) scoring at three-an-over until Power (1-29) and Dylan Martin (2-36) got amongst them.

Having been competitive after their rough start, United again faltered for one crucial period as Josh Paerau (39) and George Diack (22) started watchfully, seeing off Slight's ten overs, while Badger and Martin were left with just a handful of overs to save for the end.

The pair then attacked Ritesh Verma, who could not repeat his double wicket success against New Plymouth Old Boys and was punished for 38 runs in four overs including 11 extras.

United turned to Chris Sharrock (2-13), who while an acknowledged part timer can often get the ball right on the spot, and he brought his team back into it by getting Paerau and then Tim Watson (23), after Watson had taken over when Diack was dismissed by Martin and took a big over off him.

Badger came back as he and Sharrock made Napier work for every remaining run.

But from 189-7, No9 batsman Patrick Hurley decided the matter with 14 not out from as many balls, while partner Jayden Lennox hit a four to get the winning runs in the 48th over.

"They had the rub of the green. The toss would have been nice to win," said a disappointed Hobbs.

"We had a great partnership between Badge and Matty, but it was a team effort - partnerships were key.

"We were just trying to get wickets the whole time, we were 20 runs short on this wicket.

"We got their two best batsmen out, but the wicket flattened.

"We didn't play to our potential. I'd like to give them another shot, put it that way."

Scoreboard
United 207-7 (M Boswell 91no, S Badger 77, J Lennox 3-17, L Rukuwai 2-40) lost to Napier Tech 208-7 (J Paerau 39, I Lange 30, L Rukuwai 25, C Sharrock 2-13, D Martin 2-36) by three wickets.