Mark Steventon was all aggression for Waicol in a high-scoring loss. PHOTO/FILE
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
[email protected]
Mark Steventon again highlighted his potential, top scoring for Wairarapa College with 85 in a high-scoring loss to the Wellington College 3rd XI at Wellington College on Saturday.
Steventon came to the wicket after the fall of the first wicket with the score at 13. He was all aggression from the start, sending the first three balls he faced to the boundary for four.
Steventon added 72 with Oscar Southey [38] in 10 overs for the second wicket.
Despite the regular loss of wickets, Steventon continued his aggressive approach, hitting 13 fours and three sixes in his 66-ball innings.
His half century came after his 120 against Scots College 2nd XI in the first round on February 1.
When Steventon was the sixth wicket to fall with the score at 163, it looked like Waicol would struggle to put together a competitive total.
However, Max Donaldson, batting at seven, continued the momentum, scoring 55 off 57 balls, with all but three of his runs [his first three scoring shots] coming from boundaries [10 fours and two sixes].
Donaldson was the last batsman out, with the score at a respectable 269.
Medium fast bowler Angus Miller was the best of the Wellington College bowlers with three wickets for 48 runs, including the vital wicket of Steventon.
Jack Julian [34] and Spencer Cameron [47] gave Wellington College a rollicking start, putting on 84 runs in 11 overs. Cameron’s dismissal, bowled by Samuel Payne, led to a mini-collapse, with four wickets falling for seven runs.
Leg-spinner Zac Anstis picked up a wicket with his first ball, bowling Max Juran for a golden duck, and off-spinner Conley Alexander claimed two wickets in three balls to have the home side reeling.
Up stepped Miller, who completed a fine double for the match, being run out for a hard-hit 70 [55 balls, including 13 fours], to turn the match in Wellington College’s favour.
A swashbuckling 60 not out off 39 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, by number eight batsman Theo Cook saw the home team through to victory, with only 39.3 of the 50 overs bowled.
Waicol have had one win and one loss in the Wellington secondary schools Premier Two competition.
Their next game will be at home to St Patrick’s Town on Saturday.
BRIEF SCORES
Wairarapa College 269 [Mark Steventon 85, Max Donaldson 55, Oscar Southey 38; Angus Miller 3-48] lost to Wellington College 3rd XI 272-7 [Angus Miller 70, Theo Cook 60no, Spencer Cameron 47, Jack Julian 34] by three wickets.
