Auckland went top of the table in the Under-18 tournament at Lincoln after they smashed Central Districts by 10 wickets.
Auckland chased down Central’s 135 with 8.2 overs to spare as openers Mark Chapman and Ben Horne crushed the Central bowling attack.
Central opted to bat first and put in a patchy performance. Byrnn Cleaver made 29 for his side, but found little help from the rest of his top-order.
Arana Noema-Barnett was the best of the batsmen on his way to an unbeaten 49. It let Central keep things respectable and finish their 20 overs at 135 for seven.
Once again Shaun Hicks was the best of the bowlers for Auckland and finished his four overs with figures of three for 27.
It seemed like a par total, but no one predicted how dominant Auckland would be.
Chapman and Horne came out to the crease and slayed the Central bowling attack to get off to the perfect start.
But it didn’t end there.
The two carried on their vicious attack right until the final run was made as Chapman hit a six to claim a ten wicket win.
Chapman pipped Horne for the top score with an unbeaten 65, while his Captain also remained not out on 64. Together the pair whacked 13 fours and eight sixes.
It was horrible time for the Central bowlers who only got through 11.4 overs in total.
Auckland now are one win away from securing the Under-18 trophy.
