Caleb Burling plays a shot in his innings of 80. PHOTOS/JADE CVETKOV
Greytown keep cup
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
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A third-wicket century partnership by Caleb Burling and Tony Russo was the highlight of Wairarapa Mitsubishi Greytown’s second consecutive Umpires Cup championship victory on Saturday.
Burling and Russo’s contribution could not have come at a more vital time with the defending champions in deep trouble at the Park Sports Ground.
They lost their first two wickets with just six runs on the scoreboard, and with the game reduced to 32 overs-a-side because of a wet outfield, there was little time to settle in if they were to post a defendable total.
The pair were initially watchful against some accurate Lansdowne bowling.
They slowly built momentum before upping the scoring rate. And when Russo was out for 41 [54 balls, including three fours] the pair had added 114 runs in 22 overs to give Greytown a solid base to build on.
Burling, the younger brother of former Wairarapa representative Liam Burling, highlighted his potential with an outstanding 80 off 101 balls that featured six fours and two sixes.
After he was the fourth wicket to fall with the score at 141, Greytown lost regular wickets, including five for just six runs, to finish on 164-9.
Regan Fricker was the best of the Lansdowne bowlers, claiming 3-14 off six economical overs with his slow-medium pace bowling.
Russo was immediately in the action in Lansdowne’s response, bowling Shamal Perera for a golden duck with the third ball of his first over.
From there, Lansdowne failed to build any substantial partnerships against some tight Greytown bowling and were bowled out for 140 in the final over.
Medium-pacer Russo was particularly impressive, finishing with 2-12 off seven overs, and fellow seam bowler Mike Courtman continued his good run of form, taking 3-37.
Veteran Sanjay Patel top-scored for Lansdowne with 30, coming in at number eight. Nathan Robinson, with 25, and Brandon Mortenson, with 22, also made valuable contributions.
Greytown made it a double by winning the Chairman’s Cup despite losing to Kuranui College by 14 runs in their final game of the season.
Alex Mason [69] and Charlie Regnault [45] top-scored for Kuranui in their total of 189-8 off 40 overs. Edwin Read, with 3-31, was the best of the Greytown bowlers.
Number seven, Peter Dallimore, top-scored with 31 in Greytown’s reply, although their total was given a helping hand by the students, who conceded 54 extras, including 32 wides, and 14 no balls.
The teams finished tied on 12 points, with Greytown taking the trophy on countback having won more games.
Brief scores
Umpires Cup
Greytown 164-9 [Caleb Burling 80, Tony Russo 41; Regan Fricker 3-14, Nathan Kapene 2-39, Robbie Speers 2-21, Branden Sword 2-25] beat Lansdowne 140 [Sanjay Patel 30; Mike Courtman 3-37, Tony Russo 2-12, Rickey Dey 2-27, Byron Hegglin 2-22] by 24 runs.
Chairman’s Cup
Kuranui College 189-8 [Alex Mason 69, Charlie Regnault 45; Edwin Read 3-31] beat Greytown 175-8 [Peter Dallimore 31; Dane Russell 2-30, Zac Taylor 2-21] by 14 runs.
