Huge victory for J’ville cricketers

By Frank Neill

Johnsonville’s first XI cricket team cruised to a stunning victory over Upper Hutt at Alex Moore Park on 11 February.

The visitors batted first and were all out for 209 runs. Johnsonville lost just one wicket in overhauling that total, finishing with 212 runs.

Coming in to bat after the one wicket fell, Gareth Severin severely punished the Upper Hutt attack, finishing with 97 not out from just 80 deliveries he faced.

Opener Devan Vishvaka also amassed a big total, finishing the day on 75 not out from 100 deliveries, while Nick Kelly added 28 runs.

Five Johnsonville bowlers took wickets.

Rakitha Weerasundara had the highest number of scalps with three wickets. He conceded just 34 runs from his 8.2 overs.

Three bowlers took two wickets each – Zac Ringrose, Ben Hilder and Sean Wakelin – and Maximus Petrie took the wicket of Upper Hutt opener Thomas Jones.

With the victory, Johnsonville ensured it retained second place on the Wellington Division One table. It also ensured it retained the Ewen Chatfield Trophy, which was up for grabs in the match.

Johnsonville’s second XI also notched up a victory with a narrow two-run win over Coffee Box at Petone Recreation Ground.

Batting first in their division three match, Johnsonville was all out for 171.

Janakan Karunaharan was the top scorer for Johnsonville, reaching his half century before he was run out for 56.

Andrew Moir had the second