TPL Round 6
There are two games in town this Saturday as we revert back to TPL cricket with round six. The two Marlborough teams remain on their own side of the Whangamoa’s while Wakatu host the powerhouse Stoke Nayland unit and big brother takes on little brother as ACOB host Nelson College.
While they have not had a win yet Wakatu’s batting looked more solid last week in their loss to WTTU. They have not troubled the scorer over 200 yet but are pushing up towards it. The Victory Square pitch and short boundaries are usually conducive to heavy scoring, but the unseasonal weather conditions have balanced that out to a degree. Stoke Nayland in contrast to their opponents are the form horse. They are returning to their dominant best with both bat and ball. Darius Skeaping is backing up from a couple of big efforts, skipper Brendon Hodgson played a brutish inning last week and elder statesman Kurt Pahl just keeps on keeping on. Their superbly balanced bowling line-up will also be a real threat for Wakatu. Ili Tugaga and Dylan Eginton lead the attack which consists of multiple threats. Wakatu will be well tested.
The Graham Trophy is up for grabs at the Botanics as an ACOB team boasting four of last weeks Nelson Pine Griffins hosts the Nelson College 1st XI. The Zohrab twins, Nic Clark and Josh Simpson will all be hoping that the schoolboy bowling attack gives them more respite than Canterbury Country afforded them last weekend. Buffed up Ben Hazlett is looking in good nick and the College boys will need to keep a close eye on his all-around skills. James Graham will look to dig deep in this trophy match played in memory of his late mother. The college will need to rebound from a couple of mauling’s at the hands of Stoke Nayland, but the youngsters should have the resilience. Fergus Hughes and Finn Restieaux are well due with the bat and they will welcome the return of big Jarrod McKay.
WTTU have the bye this weekend and as usual both games commence at 11:30 am.
NELSON, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 24: Stoke / Nayland v Nelson College on November 24 at Marsden Rec 2018 in Nelson, New Zealand. (Photo by: Evan Barnes Shuttersport Limited)
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