TPL Round 3 Preview

TPL Round 3 Preview

There are some tasty match ups brewing as we step into Round Three of the TPL club cricket competition on Saturday.

 The feature fixture pits two of the three unbeaten teams against each other as Car Company Stoke Nayland lay in wait to take on the Dolphins at their bastion of Marden Rec. The visitors are led by classy batsman, Prabodha Arthavidu who has begun the season well as have bowling main stays Josh Poole and Jerrym Lamb. Rikki Bovey is also lurking in the wings and he is always threatening. Stoke Nayland have been batting around Paddy Howes who has really made his intentions known with a century and 43.  Howes has been getting wickets as well with his left arm orthodox stuff, while Ben Stark will be looking to terrorise his former Marlborough team mates again. The playing through champions have named a strong line up – but they may well need all the fire power they can muster.

Nelson College will be hoping to return to the winners circle as they host Wakatu at Ngawhatu. While the schoolboys bowling attack looks really likely led by a couple of McKays, their batting seems exceedingly flimsy. Opener Jack Morris tonned up a couple of weeks ago but they will be looking for some more consistency throughout. Wakatu had a nice win last Saturday on the back of a solid looking batting line up and an exceptional spell of bowling from Damian Aitken. Aitken who is still at Nelson College will enjoy having a crack at his school chums this week.

The third unbeaten team, WTTU head over the Whangamoa’s to take on the Falcons who will be licking their wounds after a mauling at the hands of Stoke Nayland last week.  WTTU’s batting has been poor, but they boast a very competent bowling line up.  It is unlikely that veteran Cade Armstrong will back up, but with the likes of Sam Baxendine and Josh Newport in the attack they are dangerous.  The Falcons batting faltered, but they have a well balanced bowling armoury and will enjoy being at home.

ACOB get their first game at the picturesque Botanics against the battling Wanderers/Motueka line-up.  ACOB have looked likely with a tie and a narrow loss so will be looking to go one better this week.  This is a handy team who are developing into a tight unit. A lot of players have been scoring runs and they would expect it is about time to put together a full days performance. Nibu Jose looks ominous with the ball and is about due to grab a bag.  Wanderers/Motueka are trying manfully but it is tough work for them. Max Mannering begun well enough, but they will be expecting a little more from him.

As usual all matches begin at 11:30 am on Saturday.