NEWMAN SHIELD CLIFF HANGER

100 Overs of Cricket and No Winner

A swing and a miss and a scampered bye off the last ball resulted in a tie which ensured Nelson Pine Griffins maintained their grasp on the Newman Shield. In an absorbing and entertaining match played on a flat Saxton Oval, the Marlborough visitors were devastated to have failed to close the deal in the high scoring encounter. Earlier in the day, a majestic Probodha Arthavidu provided the major substance to Marlborough’s effort.  His innings was characterised by some exquisite driving on both sides of the wicket but especially punctuated by his on driving. Many of his 13 boundaries were in the direction of mid on.  Josh Poole provided a more than able lieutenant as his half-century contributed his fair share of their 138 run partnership for the third wicket.   Debutant opening batsman Tom Sutherland looked sound at the top of the order after opening bowler Sam Baxendine gave Nelson an early sniff with a wicket in his opening over.  From there, however, it was a tough day at the office for the home bowling attack.  The batsmen all shared the spoils with twenties apiece and each looking solid.  The in-form Matthew Stretch added impetus towards the end of the innings as they pushed up towards the 300 mark. 

Nelson’s bowling attack was made to work hard on the benign surface and while Baxendine finished up the most successful he was also put to the sword somewhat.  Mediums Ili Tugaga and Thomas Zohrab were the pick of the rest but it was tough graft. The fielding faltered a little under the pressure of the Marlborough onslaught.  They were not helped when first choice wicketkeeper Nic Clark missed his flight up from Christchurch and had to be replaced by Jack Aldridge at the eleventh hour. Marlborough’s total of 289/6 from their 50 overs appeared a daunting challenge for the young Nelson group. However, Tom Ingham and Joey O’Connor guaranteed that the required run rate never got out of hand in an aggressive 50 run opening stand. O’Connor and new skipper Mason Thelin then kept the momentum going and when O’Connor departed Paddy Howes refused to allow the bowlers to dominate. Through nice stroke play complimented with exemplary running between the wickets the Zohrab twins, David and Thomas, continued to keep the score ticking over. Their 61 run partnership for the fifth wicket allowed for a couple of timely cameos from Devon Serrurier and Tugaga to set up the finale.

Seven runs were required for the victory or six for the tie off the final over bowled by Tarin Mason.  Three singles and a two by Baxendine resulted in Aldridge facing the final ball of the hundredth over of the day.  He did just enough to keep the Shield in Nelsons trophy cabinet for now at least.

SCORES

Marlborough                                                     289/6     Probodha Arthavidu 116, Josh Poole 57, Tom Sutherland 25, Jerrym Lamb 25, Matthew Stretch 22, Aidan Lavender 20*, Sam Baxendine 3/76,

Nelson Pine Griffins                                       289/9     Joe O’Connor 61, Mason Thelin 58, Thomas Zohrab 35, David Zohrab 34, Tom Ingham 29, Paddy Howes 29, Nick Weaver 3/38

RESULT TIE