Tasman Premier League – Round 1 

The only local game sees two heavyweights matching up at Marsden Rec.  Playing through champions Stoke Nayland is hosting a packed and resurgent WTTU outfit.  The visitors pace bowling trio of skipper Sam Baxendine, Josh Newport and Joe O’Connor will be salivating at the green looking pitch on show.  The batsmen including Wanderer’s expatriate Tom Cross may be less than excited.

Stokes quicks Timothy O’Donnell, Ili Tugaga, Dylan Eginton and Symon Carr will likewise be waiting expectantly for the chance to display their wares.  They will be hoping to take early psychological points as the season begins.  The aggressive Kurt Pahl, Chris Dittmer and Brendan Hodgson look set to lead the way with the bat.  This should be a very intriguing and entertaining match up beginning at 11:30 am at Marsden Rec.

ACOB and Wakatu travel over the hill to Horton Park in Blenheim to begin their campaigns.  The Falcons are hosting the resurgent ACOB team who will be wanting to make a statement right from the start.  Nick Weaver and Matt Stretch will be leading the way for the home team while the visitors will be looking forward to new comers from Nelson College like the irrepressible Zohrab brothers, Thomas and David to step up.  They have been working extremely hard and look ready to take off. 

Meanwhile Wakatu, under captain Devon Serrurier, will be tested by a well-balanced Dolphins group.  Wakatu are something of an unknown force at this stage but with players such as Josh Poole and Prabodha Arthavidu the Dolphins look strong.

Nelson College has the bye in round one but this young group will be looking to get as much practice in as possible.  A number of them will be getting game time as the Nelson Under 17 team play a quadrangular tournament also involving Marlborough, Canterbury Country and St Pats in Blenheim on Sunday and Monday.  All in all an interesting and exciting weekend of cricket in store.