NZCT NATIONAL CLUB CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIPS 2016
Day Three
Overcast conditions having replaced the previous clear blue skies, there was a pertinent reminder overhead that weather was on the way. Rain could yet play its part in the last rounds, so today was “moving day” for all teams as they looked to shore up a healthy position on the points table.
St Albans (Canterbury) v Suburbs New Lynn (Auckland)
St Albans 214 (Tom Meyrick 93, James Tapper 31 not out; Michael Barry 4-28, Josh Presland 3-33) beat Suburbs New Lynn 189 (James Parslow 86; James Tapper 3-29) by 25 runs
View scorecard
St Albans continued their unbeaten run through the NZCT National Club Championships after surviving a batting collapse in a tight encounter with a tough Suburbs New Lynn side.
Both teams fighting to the last on Cornwall Park number two, St Albans had had to put pressure on the Suburbs tail to clinch the victory.
Earlier, St Albans looked to have gotten off to a solid enough start after electing to bat — business as usual.
Suburbs captain Michael Barry
But, after losing their first opener, their batting line-up went into somewhat of a free fall.
No one, until number nine Tom Meyrick stepped in, could crack double figures.
Meyrick showed the rest of the line-up just how things are done. His impressive stay at the crease saw him fall just seven runs short of a hundred in the 47th over, his 93 pounded off just 63 balls on one of the bigger grounds.
His efforts well and truly saved St Albans from being tumbled out for a very low score, and seriously frustrated ’Burbs captain Michael Barry and his pace bowlers.
James Tapper showing his all-round touch
Meyrick hit eight fours and seven sixes in his rollicking innings, and was given useful support late in the piece by James Tapper.
Meyrick was denied in the 90s after an astounding knock
Tapper was able to nurse the strike along well to finish on an unbeaten 31 from 51 balls, which all just added to the Suburbs boys’ mood as they finally put them back in the hutch in the 48th over.
Burbs paceman Josh Presland oozes frustration despite just having finally got Meyrick out
Chasing 214, Suburbs then simply couldn’t get a strong partnership going through the middle to get them close enough to their target.
James Parslow did his absolute best to take his side there with a strong 86.
Parslow had entered in the fifth over and departed in the 47th, but he simply didn’t have someone to stick with him.
George Hanham produced the most support with 28.
His departure left Dane Watson needing to up the ante: he would lose the battle, however, after a run-a-ball 17; before the Burbs were eventually all out in the 47th over.
POINTS AFTER DAY 3
Eastern Suburbs – 9
St Albans – 9
Napier Old Boys Tech – 6
Suburbs New Lynn – 3
Manukau City – 0
Kaikorai – 0
