Two teams remain undefeated heading into the third round of one-dayers at the 2022/23 NZC Men's Under 17 Nationals in Lincoln, Canterbury.
On Day One, Northern Districts U17 hit the ground running with a quick seven-wicket win over Central Districts U17, then backed up in Round Two with another big win, this time to the tune of 130 runs against Canterbury U17.
Auckland U17 meanwhile started with a hard fought 65-run win against Wellington U17, then beat Otago U17 by 73 runs.
Central Districts and Canterbury will be still looking for that winning feeling in the third round, starting at 10am this Thursday, while Wellington and Auckland have opened their account with one win and one loss.
DAY ONE
Auckland U17 beat Wellington U17 by 65 runs
Lincoln Green
Sent in, Auckland showed no qualms or first-day jitters as they calmly stormed to a good total of 321/7, batting out their 50 overs. Cambell Brighouse top-scored with 92 while Cooper Harrison-Tubb and Cody O'Shannassy also made half centuries, and first drop Tom Jones almost having got their with his 49 as well. Together they strung together several meaty partnerships but Wellington's top order could not get going in response, in big trouble at 25/4 in the 10th over. But then came a remarkable stand from number four Gaurav Navalkar (76) and Dylan McArdle (83) who dug in and put on a mighty 151 for the fifth wicket. McArdle finally departed at 175/5 and still Wellington fought hard, stretching the game to 49 overs before losing their final wicket.
Northern Districts U17 beat Central Districts U17 by 7 wickets
Lincoln No.3
A tough start for Central Districts with captain Ethan Campbell electing to bat but little going right in that department as his side was restricted to 134. The team had been 24/4 before Sam Payne came in to do some ship-steadying with a much needed knock of 61, but CD could find only two partnerships of note before ND bundled them out in the 28th over. The wickets were shared around the Northern attack with Snehith Reddy taking 3-23. A comfortable chase for ND who ticked off their target in just the 23rd over for a bonus point.
Otago U17 beat Canterbury U17 by 7 wickets
Bert Sutcliffe Oval
Otago opening bowler Mason Clarke started his tournament on a great note with a five-wicket bag, taking superb figures of 5-24 off his 8.4 overs as Otago bowled out Canterbury for 169 in the 41st over. Lauchie Jemmett had top-scored with 58 batting at five for Canterbury, but without enough support the target would prove too light for a fired up Otago team. They chased down the runs inside 30 overs for a bonus point win, Southland's Nick Brown contributing a run-a-ball 71.
DAY TWO
Auckland U17 beat Otago U17 by 73 runs
Lincoln Green
Day two produced the first century of the Nationals with Auckland's Tom Jones continuing his good form from the opening day, and this time going on. He reached 105 off 109 balls, with support again from Cambell Brighouse (62), the pair dominating in a total of 282/9. Otago's Scott took 4-51 but later, despite a good start with a 59-run opening stand, Otago's batting fell away, and Auckland got on top. Sam Duff fought hard for 48 down the order, Auckland's Selwin Sanjay collecting a very good 4-44 in the win wrapped up in the 44th over.
Northern Districts U17 beat Canterbury U17 by 130 runs
Lincoln No.3
Electing to bat, a solid Northern Districts middle order set up another good result for ND, the team posting a solid 305/5 on the small No.3 ground. Snehith Reddy and Henry jointly top-scored with 90 after their 170-run partnership for the fourth wicket, Luke Scrimgeour adding a further half century in ND's total after they had departed. Canterbury made a good start at the top with a 96-run opening stand, Ben Trillo reaching 50. But Reddy continued to impress with the ball as well as the bat, ripping out a five-wicket bag that devastated Canterbury's chase. He finished with 5-33 off his 10, Gus Tustin mopping up the tail for 3-21.
Wellington U17 beat Central Districts U17 by 5 wickets
Bert Sutcliffe Oval
It was another tough day at the crease for Central Districts, despite another toss win. Five of the top six were dismissed for single figure scores, first drop Jacon Cotter holding on for 36 before a late partnership between Matthew Rowe (51) and Sacha Pickering (39) gave themselves something to defend. The pair put on 67 for the ninth wicket as CD batted into the last over, the last wicket falling with just one ball remaining in the innings. But it was always going to be tough defending 169, especially after Wellington's top order made the better start with the bat. Oliver Tewatiya top-scored with 40 at five and Wellington brought home a win with 13.1 overs to spare.
