All Stars fall short

The first round of The Computer Man top four and bottom six cricket competition saw all but one of the higher seeded teams collect wins.

The Avana All-Stars were fancied to win against Tupapa, however Telecom High Performance player Toala Teinaki made it tough work for the All-stars as he put on a display of clean crisp hitting sending balls toward the lagoon as he scored 62 to take the team’s total to 179.

All Star Tupou (30 runs) made a start but the All Stars came 87 runs short.

ANZ Avatiu-Nikao’s Hamish Weir’s form continued into their match up against the Titikaveka Titans.

Spinning up a storm of big leg breaks leaving many swinging at air, Weir produced 4 wickets for 21 runs to see the Titans out for 79.

Not done, Weir put on a show stopping all round performance as he scored a stylish 31, but it wasn’t all Avatiu’s way as the Titans fought to the bitter end, nearly pulling off the win as Avatiu crossed the line with 1 wicket.

First placed Arorangi Red Backs got a fright from fourth placed Matavera as Ray Roumanu (3 wickets for 13 runs) and an outstanding team fielding effort had the Red Backs concerned heading into the break all out for 129.

After scoring 31 not out with the bat Henry Geary did the damage with the ball collecting another impressive five wicket haul as Matavera again struggled to solidify any partnerships and despite Roumanu featuring again with the bat (42 runs) Matavera fell painfully short by 15 runs.

Muri, without captain Bobby Hunter, were led into battle against Turangi by Space Raumea (67 runs).

Muri put on a solid effort in a hard fought match to defend their 220 but it wasn’t to be as Turangi sneaked to victory with 1 wicket and 10 balls in hand.