Whanganui cricket: Renegades clinch Premier 2 crown over Marton Saracens

Whanganui Renegades celebrate their win in the Jurgens Demolition P40 final against Marton Saracens.

After four years of heartache and frustration, Whanganui Renegades are back at the top of Cricket Whanganui’s Premier 2 grade.

The team won the Jurgens Demolition P40 final at Tasman Tanning (Victoria) Park on Saturday.

Looking for their first title since March 2022, after qualifying for and losing several big playoffs, Renegades finally defeated rivals Matt Burke Engineering Marton Saracens by 26 runs in a bowler-dominated fixture.

It was also a day to remember for the Rangitīkei club, as Richards Construction Marton Saracens defended their Jurgens Demolition P30 crown after a big first innings carried them to a 31-run win over repeat finalists Kaitoke Knight Riders.

In the main game on the No. 1 pitch, Renegades won the toss and chose to bat, grinding their way to 179-8.

Jack Donaldson (43) led the way at opener, eventually finding support from Josh Trillo (22) and Ryan Donaldson (14).

Their demise at 139-5 saw skipper Ben Heap (43 not out), determined not to see his club suffer another heartache, carry the tail-enders through and bat to the end of the innings.

Saracens’ best bowlers were experienced opener Brett Cunningham (3-25), allrounder Dan Ford (2-33) and spinner Bryant Galpin (2-36).

In reply, Renegades’ pace bowlers Ryan Donaldson (2-26) and Mathew Hodges (2-14) had Saracens under pressure early at 13-2 before key man Dominic Rayner (41) set himself to bat through the innings.

Ford (33) worked with him for a 70-run partnership but when Rayner fell to a good catch over his head by Donaldson off Liam Brennan (2-32), Saracens were in trouble.

Josh Keenan (36) showed defiance but was running out of partners as Renegades brought on their proven closers, spinner Woody Martin (3-30) and Donaldson, pushing fielders back on the long boundaries and inviting the batsmen to take them on as the run rate rose.

It was still game on with 37 runs needed from 18 balls and three wickets in hand. However, dot-ball pressure told as Keenan was caught behind off Donaldson and Martin cleaned up the tail through infield catches, the last man falling in the final over with the target out of reach.

In the P30 final, Saracens batted first and made every post a winner with an intimidating 222-2.

Sam Edwards (92) led the way, supported by veteran Philip Galpin (68), putting on a match-winning opening stand of 137. Galpin’s dismissal late in the innings meant Mark Jones (38 not out) was free to swing for the fences, hitting four sixes.

Jones then took 2-28 at the top of the second innings to have Kaitoke in trouble until Peter Bowman (35) and Deek Reuters (21) began the recovery. However, Saracens’ Jack Penn (2-24) and Jomin Joy (2-45) chipped out the middle order and, although the tail had five batsmen scoring in the teens, the run rate grew and closing bowler Todd Sutton (2-39) caught up with them.

Kaitoke entered the last over with one wicket left, needing 36 runs to tie for a super over, and Joy was not about to be smashed, missing the last dismissal but holding Kaitoke to 191-9 as Saracens retained their title.