Download the current points table
With three rounds of Twenty20 competition to go, Auckland and Northern Districts are proving to be the teams to beat with both side notching up decent wins in the final 50-over round. Unbeaten Auckland sit top of the table with 19 points followed by Northern Districts on 13 and Wellington on 11.
The first Twenty20 contest will be crucial with the top teams squaring off. Wellington will need to win all their matches and hope other results go their way if they are to be crowned champions.
Tomorrow is a scheduled rest day in the National Under 18 Tournament with two rounds of Twenty20 played on Monday. The competition finishes with a final round of Twenty20 matches on Tuesday morning..
Canterbury v Wellington
Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1021/scorecard.aspx
Wellington has hammered Canterbury by seven wickets in the final 50-over match of the Under 18 tournament.
Canterbury could only muster 154 in 43.5 overs after losing the toss and being put into bat. Opener Michael Davidson was solid at the top of the order with 67 but with wickets falling at the other end had to hold back, using 137 balls. Wellington’s Sean O’Connor did the bulk of the damage, ripping through the middle order to finish with five for 39 while Charlie McLean mopped up the tail to end with three for 16 off 7.5.
The Wellington response was clinical with the opening pair putting on 116 runs in 23.6 overs. Jamie Gibson was the first to go for a decent 59. Canterbury picked up three late consolation wickets, two to Theo van Weorkom and one run out, but the result was never in doubt with Wellington making 155 for three in just 34.2 overs. Sam Dean carried his bat through the innings, hitting nine boundaries and a six in his unbeaten 77 off 90 deliveries.
Auckland v Central Districts
Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1018/scorecard.aspx
A strong batting performance from Auckland ensured they beat Central Districts by seven wickets with 15 balls to spare.
Some late hitting from Connor Neynens and Angus Shaw boosted Central Districts through to 248 for five after they were put into bat by Auckland. Neynens struck three boundaries and two sixes on his way to 45 not out off 29 deliveries with Shaw making 54 off 45 before being run out off the last ball off the innings. Simon Hickey was the pick of the Auckland attack taking tidy figures of two for 39.
The Auckland reply was lead by the openers who put on 149 for the first wicket with Simon Middleton crafting 79 and Ben Horne 72. They did lose three wickets for 33 runs in the middle of the inning but a superb 59 off 50 balls from Robert O’Donnell sealed the win.
Northern Districts v Otago
Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1017/scorecard.aspx
Northern Districts consolidated second spot on the table after comfortably beating Otago 80 runs. Three decent scores and 35 extras helped Northern to 271 for seven with Otago bundled out for 191 in 40.4 overs.
Ben Hyde top scored for Northern with 76 while Henry Hooper was next best with 65. The pair provided the backbone of the innings, coming together when opener Matthew Cole went for 45, and taking the score from 87 for three to 225 for five. Hamish Cooke was the best for Otago taking three for 49.
Otago started well enough with the openers putting on 45 but they then lost their way with wickets falling throughout the innings. Michael Collins made a useful 43 and Ben Willemsen hit 49 but there in the middle but an innings lacked a score substance. Sean Davey was Northern’s best, taking five for 35 in 9.4 overs and completing a run out.
Points table:
Auckland – 19
Northern Districts – 13
Wellington - 11
Canterbury – 8
Central Districts – 5
Otago – 0
