NZC National Men’s Under-17 Tournament
ROUND THREE
Northern Districts Under-17 beat Central Districts Under-17 by 22 runs
One-day match
Bert Sutcliffe Oval
8 January 2020
A Leon Marconi century at five was the highlight for ND after Northern won the toss and batted against their provincial neighbours.
CD had made a good start with the ball, however, Regan Fleming (2-46) and Ronan Restieaux (2-48) combining to have ND 42 for three early doors.
Cory Dickson (54 off 81) and Marconi launched the fightback with a 100-stand for the fourth wicket, Marconi going on to string together another two useful stands of 50 and 45 for the subsequent wickets.
After seeing his side to the 200 mark, he reached his century off 99 balls, in just under two hours at the crease with his knock including nine boundaries and a six.
It took until the 48th over for CD to see the back of him, Toby Findlay (2-14) picking up a late brace as ND put a tally of 266 for seven on the tins.
Payton Spencer then got ND off to a good start with the ball, picking up two early wickets to have CD 35/2 inside the first 10 with both opening batsmen caught behind.
James Rawnsley (30) rebuilt with captain Curtis Heaphy, the pair putting on 57 for the third wicket before Dickson prised them apart bang on the halfway mark at 92 for three.
Heaphy, fresh off a century on the previous day, looked on course to back up as he batted his way into the 80s, lifting the tempo with support from new partner Baylee Foote (46 off 45).
But a key runout off Spencer's arm in the 45th over ended their 92-run stand as well as Heaphy's knock, on 83.
Now CD unravelled, losing their last four wickets in the last five overs in the scramble to get up, including two further runouts. ND sealed their win with five balls to spare, CD having needed 23 further runs.
