Tough cricket match-ups were seen at the weekend but once again the Matavera and Arorangi cricket club emerged unscathed to continue their winning form in the Computer Man men’s competition.

Avatiu-Nikao were looking to keep their unbeaten form going when they took on fellow unbeaten side Matavera.

Games between these two are always close and this one was no exception.

Avatiu-Nikao batted first and its players were able to make starts but some great bowling from Matavera’s birthday boy Steven Kavana (five wickets) helped restrict Avatiu-Nikao to 116.

Avatiu/Nikao replied with regular wickets but Matavera were able to sneak home with two wickets remaining, Nga Uka top scored with 30 to hand Matavera three wins from three.

At Titikaveka, the Titians were looking to improve their young and inexperienced side against Tupapa.

Titikaveka batted first and posted 122 all out with Sholan Ivaiti top scoring with 32.

In reply, Tupapa were reeling after being reduced to eight runs for the loss of three wickets.

But experienced player Osolai Agai with 38 and Telecom High Performance player Toala Teinaki with 36 runs steadied the ship and helped see Tupapa score 124/5 giving them their first points for the season with a five wicket win.

The local derby in Muri saw them hosting Davana who were in the top four coming into the game and hoping to carry that form through.

Avana batted first and were all out for 98 with young gun Pakia Wichman top scoring with 34 and Mike Hoff taking 4 wickets for 15 runs for Muri.

In reply Muri were able to reach the total for the loss of one wicket.

Tupapa 2 batted first against Turangi and were all out for 165 with Ruarau Ruarau scoring 64.

Turangi’s experienced brothers Sepa and Vane Tangimetua combined to score 170 to take the game without losing a wicket.

Sepa top scored with 89 not out and Vane 51 not out.

The other hotly contested game at weekend saw Takuvaine take on Arorangi at Happy Valley.

Arorangi batted first and made hard work of it with their experienced top order having a rare off-day.

Instead it was the young guns Kiri Yeutu scoring 82 off just 61 balls to guide Arorangi to 182 all out.

Takuvaine thought this would be achievable but Arorangi’s find of the season Henry Geary had other ideas to take an extremely rare hat-trick maiden over (3 wickets in 3 balls and 0 runs scored) finishing with figures of 5 wickets for 17 runs to give Arorangi the win by 26 runs.

This week is a sneak preview of what could be this year’s semi finals as the top four teams are playing each other.

Matavera will host Turangi (1 vs 4), Muri host Arorangi (3 vs 2), Avatiu host Tupapa, Turamatuitui Tupapa host Davana and Takuvaine face Titikaveka at the Happy Valley.