United’s Ethan Childs puts his all into a delivery on Saturday, but it was a batsman’s wicket with more than 540 runs flowing on the day. PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV
CRICKET
It was hot work on Saturday, but United left Queen Elizabeth Park with their quest for a semi-final spot in the Coastal Challenge Cup still alive after beating Wanganui Collegiate First XV by three wickets.
The visitors batted first and made an excellent fist of it, reaching 270 for eight wickets off their 50 overs. Wickets were shared around the United bowlers.
After battling in the 31 degree temperatures, the home team were then able to sit back and applaud superb knocks by Jaco Vorster (82), Robbie Speers (58) and Jack Forrester (38) as they raced to 273 for seven in 39.5 overs to collect the win and a bonus point for winning inside 40 overs.
While semi-final hopes are still alive, senior pro Mark Childs said they would need to win their final two games to make the cut.
Meanwhile Red Star were humiliated by the Paraparaumu Cricket Club in the latest round of the Coastal Challenge Cup.
Winless, going into the seventh-round clash against the second-placed team on their home turf, Kena Kena Park, it always loomed as a difficult challenge.
Batting first they started promisingly, and at 53-2 off 8.5 overs the prospect of a good 50 over total must have been contemplated.
However, wickets fell regularly thereafter, and Red Star were bundled out in 25.1 overs for 98.
Robbie Anderson (31) and Nathan Elliott (15) put on a 31-run first wicket stand, and with No 8 Jared Watt (22) were the only batsmen to reach double figures.
Paraparaumu’s opening bowler Sean Windle was both miserly and penetrative collecting five wickets for 13 runs off his full allotment of 10 overs.
The home team made light of the chase, reaching 102/3 for a seven-wicket victory off 18.2 overs, with opener Byron Gill batting through for 47 not out.
Burger King Red Star 98 [R. Anderson 31; S Windle 5-13] lost to 1st XI Stirling Sports Paraparaumu Cricket Club 102/3 [B Gill 47 not out]
United 273/7 [Jaco Vorster 82, Robbie Speers 58, Jack Forrester 38] beat Wanganui Collegiate First XI 270/8
Official statistics not available on Cricinfo for United v Wanganui Collegiate First XV, so scores mentioned in this report based on information provided.
