Celtic Green complete clean sweep

PETER JONES peter@topsouthmedia.co.nz

Celtic Green confirmed their status as the undisputed champions of Marlborough second grade cricket with a comfortable victory in the post-Xmas 40-over competition.

The Celts downed Renwick by six wickets at Horton Park on Saturday, a hard-hitting unbeaten 68 from Ben Holdaway allowing them to cruise to victory with 12.5 overs to spare.

Renwick batted first and were poised for a decent total at 72-2 before losing four wickets for just 17 runs, placing their lower order batters under pressure and pushing the momentum firmly in Celtic’s direction.

Daniel Karena scored 44 from 42 balls to lead the Renwick scoring, with No 7 Max Armstrong’s 29 from 39 the best of the rest as their side slumped to 161-9 at the conclusion of their 40 overs. Leading the way with the ball was Luca Turnbull who snared 3-32 from eight overs and did the early damage, while Logan Robin- son picked up 3-16 and Jaden Adams 2-16.

Holdaway, batting at three came in early and set up victory with two solid partnerships, 69 alongside Tom Sloan, who scored 51 from 38, and 48 with Adams, who compiled 17 from 34. Luke Holdaway was unbeaten at the end alongside his brother, with 15 from 18.

Mike Anstiss, 2-37 from seven, was the pick of the Renwick attack.

Celtic Green pocketed the postXmas title along with the T20 second grade crown and their preXmas 40-over victory.

Meanwhile, on Horton Park three, Wairau sewed up the third grade 40-over title with a 59-run win over Celtic.

Wairau batted first and amassed 178-6, Teagen Birkett’s 67 showing the way, along with 37 from James Crowe and 20 by Max Ruffell. Oliver Kennedy claimed 3-20 to lead the Celtic attack.

Celtic were dismissed for 119 in reply, Couper Robinson’s 32 from 37 the top score. Birkett claimed 3-39 to complete a fine double, while Niko Russell, 2-25, and Ruffell, 2-6, also picked up wickets.