TPL Back in action
Saturday sees the recommencement of the TPL as we are getting to the pointy end of the season. It is Round 10 of a 14 Round competition which then sees the top four teams playing off in semifinals on 23 March. While the Dolphins have cleared out somewhat there is real competition for the remaining three berths.
This weekend sees two games in Blenheim and just one in Nelson. The Dolphins host WTTU at Horton Park number one which is probably a more vital game for the visitors than the hosts. As stated, the home team are sitting pretty on the top of the log but WTTU is in a tight race for a semi spot. They will be looking to bounce back but unlike some teams, they have had quite a lot of cricket lately so should be ready to go. Their top order batsmen are about due to fire with the power of Joe O’Connor, Tom Ingham and Tom Cross at their disposal. They will miss the pace bowling duo of Josh Newport and Sam Baxendine so will need to be canny with their bowling options.
Across Horton Park, on number three the Falcons are pitted with the Nelson College 1st XI. College is playing Marlborough Boys College on Friday in the D’Arcy Cup so will be staying on in Blenheim. Hopefully, the will be buoyed by a nice victory there to take confidence into the Saturday fixture. The college will be without Jarrod McKay and will be hoping his younger brother Kaleb can do the business with the new agate. Leg spinner Finn Restieaux has taken wickets and scored runs recently so he and skipper Fergus Hughes may be posed some questions. The Falcons will be looking for vital points against the cellar dwellers.
The only game in town is at Victory Square. ACOB will be getting a little bit desperate to accumulate some points against home team Wakatu. These two teams were not involved in the finals over the last couple of weeks so maybe a little bit short of a gallop. ACOB had a friendly against Nelson College last weekend so maybe slightly better prepared than Wakatu who will be without key batsman Devon Serrurier. ACOB players are beginning to drift off to university and they also have Nic Clark, Felix Murray and the Zohrab twins representing Nelson in the Hawke Cup challenge. Their depth will be tested. This should be an interesting matchup and well worth a look at Victory Square. The bar there is normally open by 3 pm.
Stoke Nayland has a deserved week off with the bye after a hefty programme and all matches begin at 11:30 am.
Dolphins 32
Stoke Nayland 18
Falcons 18
WTTU 17
ACOB 16
Wakatu 13
Nelson College 12
NELSON, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 26: Wakatu v Nelson College on January 26 2019 in Nelson, New Zealand. (Photo by: Evan Barnes Shuttersport Limited)
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