The race to book a spot in the final of the Inder Lynch T20 competition is wide open after four of five rounds and thanks to some big results on the weekend.
Defending champions Manukau City have secured one spot after they won their fourth straight game to open the season on Saturday but any one of Pukekohe Metro, Karaka and Weymouth could well secure the other place in December 18’s decider.
Weymouth provided the result that tipped the competition on its head when they successfully defended their total of 151-6 against Karaka in the early game at Mountfort Park.
Pankaj Kumar scored 60 to help Weymouth set a competitive total.
Senior Counties Manukau representatives Sam Varcoe and Luke Williamson looked to have Karaka on track to win the game before both fell in quick succession and Weymouth capitalised to earn the win by 11 runs.
Weymouth then proved too strong for a valiant Papakura side in their second game of the day to improve to two wins and two losses on the tournament.
A half century from Jatinder Singh helped Weymouth reach Papakura’s total of 166-7 with an over to spare.
They play winless Southern Counties in the final round.
Pukekohe Metro flexed their muscles with two impressive displays to move into second place.
The impressive Fraser Farrell belted 87 not out to power Pukekohe Metro to 159-7 batting first against Papakura.
Skipper Reid Somani (4-3) and left-arm spinner David Kingham (2-4) reduced Papakura’s line-up to tatters and closed out a comfortable win, bowling Papakura out for just 79.
In the afternoon game, Hamish Farrell stole the show with a belligerent 83 to help Pukekohe Metro reach 189-5.
Southern Counties never looked likely and couldn’t find the run rate to go with their neighbours, finishing on 104-7 off their 20 overs.
Manukau City continued their dominant start to the season by racking up 186-4 batting first against Southern Counties at Karaka Sports Complex.
Rikesh Patel picked up a half century for Manukau City.
Manpreet Singh answered with a half century for Southern Counties, but they finished on 113-3 off their 20 overs.
In the late game, Manukau City managed to score 196-5 against Karaka in a replay of last year’s final. Openers Tayden Smit (52) and Rikesh Patel (75) did the damage for the defending champions while skipper Sandeep Patel added 40 off 17 balls to continue his fine start to the season.
Karaka, led by Williamson (49), Dan Power (44) and new recruit Marcel Marconi (40) put in a good run chase but came up one run short in a thrilling finish.
It means Manukau City (4-0) are assured of a spot in the final but Pukekohe Metro (4-1), Karaka (3-2) and Weymouth (3-2) are in a dogfight for the other spot.
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