2020/21
NZC National Men's Under 19 Tournament
NZC High Performance Centre, Lincoln, Canterbury
19 December 2020
ROUND THREE
Auckland and Wellington joined Central Districts Under 19 at the head of the table after the third day in Lincoln, after CD suffered their first defeat at the hands of Canterbury.
The CD-Canterbury contest on sunny Bert Sutcliffe Oval was the closest result of the day, Canterbury scraping in by just one wicket after the former outright leaders got them nine down with seven balls left in the match and four runs still required.
CD captain Sebastian Lauderdale-Smith had elected to bat first, and produced his second half century in two days at first drop.
Once again CD showed it could bat deep with Tom Sutherland (an unbeaten 41* at eight) and Jordie Gard (50 off 45 at nine) boosting the back end of the innings, but CD's problem was too many of their top batsmen went missing.
Tall young paceman Gus Sidey meanwhile continued his rhythmic reign, claiming 3-21 off his 10 today while Harry McMillan and Zak Foulkes picked up a brace each as they restricted CD to 221 for eight.
In reply, Sutherland and Gard both took an early wicket but two Canterbury pedigree scions in Matt Boyle (33) and Jesse Frew (69) kept Canterbury moving in the right direction.
Frew put on 78 with Foulkes for the fourth wicket before the hosts steadily increased their run rate across the back 15 overs, just enough to squeak home in time. The end of the game was cemented by a rare event with an overthrow hitting the keeper's helmet, resulting in six runs for a tight Canterbury win.
Auckland Under 19's match against Otago was an absorbing contest between bat and ball, Otago's Benji Culhane producing a handsome century, 123 off just 94 balls with 12 boundaries and eight sixes peppering the trees around Lincoln Green.
Culhane was batting at eight, and his century was invaluable to his team after a stuttering start to their innings. Captain Harrison Biggs had elected to bat but regular wickets had seen the side in trouble at 103 for five when Biggs departed in the 22nd over.
Tailender Ben Seavill finally stuck around to give Culhane the chance to blast the bulk of the runs in their remarkable 153-run stand for the 10th wicket.
Auckland leggie Adithya Ashok spun himself back into it with 3-46 but couldn't stop the Otago innings resuscitation as they set a fair chase of 292.
Auckland made the better start with the bat, however, and it proved the difference. Nathan Robinson top-scored in the reply with just 66, but the key was a series of partnerships and contributions throughout the top and middle order.
Otago fought hard and managed to get them six down, but ultimately the Aucklanders got home with three overs to spare.
On Lincoln Green, Wellington Under 19 picked up their second win of the tournament while ND suffered their second loss in a closely fought last over thriller.
Wellington had fielded first after ND won the toss and batted, putting up a total of 216/9 in their 50 overs.
Niven Dovey top-scored with 50 with Parker just behind him on 49: the two shared an 85-run stand for the fifth wicket.
For Wellington, both Baahul Ghandi (3-39) and Jakob Vanderburg (3-40) were in the wickets as Vandenburg picked up a bunch at the death.
Wellington's chase got off to a rocky start, losing both openers at 25/2, then Sam French and Micah Conroy both back in the tent early as well.
Spencer had two, and would go on to 4-53 off his nine but Wellington first drop Tim Robinson fought back.
His 59 off 90 steadied the ship and showed plenty of character at first drop, Peter Bonar joining him after Conroy with Bonar reaching 76 off 116 balls.
Their 69-run stand for the fifth was followed by a 71-stand for the sixth between Bonar and Jackson. Despite a nerve-wracking flurry of late wickets, Wellington went on to get home with just two balls to spare.
