Weather turns tide on a confident Wanganui

The weather gods were not kind with their thunderbolts to the Wanganui Under 15 team after they had Nelson on the ropes during the Central Districts age-group tournament final yesterday.

After two disappointing turns at bat, Wanganui left Nelson only 104 runs to win for the fourth innings at the Weraroa Domain.

But five wickets in three overs from Angus Dinwiddie (2-1, two overs) and Connor O'Leary (3-5, five) had Nelson floundering at 27-5 before play was abandoned as the heavens opened.

Nelson, by virtue of having a 24-run lead on their first innings, therefore received four competition points and won the title.

"The weather got us," said Wanganui coach Hayden Pudney.

"Because we were behind 25 runs on the first innings, they accumulated first innings points."

He had no doubt from his players' determination and the panic in the Nelson shed, that Wanganui would have bowled them out before they got the remaining 77 runs.

"They were so under pressure, the mood had changed all in our favour. We had the momentum to go forward."

On Wednesday, Wanganui were dismissed for 135 with Ben Kelt (32) and Raemon Teki (29) the contributors, before bowling out Nelson for 159 with Charlie Greatbatch (4-11, six) and captain Harry Cave (3-48, 12) the best bowlers. Wanganui were then 42-2 in the third innings before coming off for rain the first time, then were ultimately dismissed for 127 yesterday.