Paul Johnston

The Union Senior team moved into the top four of the Borton Cup with a 4 wicket win against Albion in hot and dry conditions at Awamoa Park

After winning the toss and electing to bat the Albion was in trouble right from the start losing wickets constantly. It was only Brad Kernahan who looked to be comfortable in the conditions as he was losing partners at the other end of the wicket. Despite scoring at a rate of 5 an over, Albion found themselves at 117-7 and in danger of setting a sub-par score.

It was Kernahan who then started to attack and take advantage of the tiring Union fielders in the hot conditions. First he combined with Brent O'Conner to take Albion to 158, then put on 30 for the last wicket of the innings with Ryan Welsh, and in process notching up his second century of the season with a six. Kernahan was the final wicket, caught by Paul Johnston, for 103. Johnston was the best of the Union bowlers taking 4-41 of his ten over's while opener Daniel Conlan took 2-41. Albion all out for 184 in the 33rd over. Of main concern for the fielding side was the injury to North Otago all-rounder Glynn Cameron, pulling a calf muscle while bowling the second of over of his bowling spell.

Union got off to a great start with Duncan Drew and Stu Dickinson combining for 67 runs at a run ball in the first ten over's. However Dickinson's wicket started a collapse that saw three wickets fell quickly the bowling of Kernahan. Albion looked to be on top with the further loss of another of the Union wickets which brought Ben Sheat out to bat with Johnston with over 70 runs still required for victory. The two then combined for the largest partnership of the game, before the loss of Johnston, leg before wicket to the bowling of Dylan Winter, for a well scored 44. It was left to Ben Sheat to hit the ball over the in-field for the fifth boundary of this innings and to move his side to 186-6, a 4 wicket victory to the away team.

The win means that Union is now 3rd equal with 30 points along with St Kevin's and Albion. Valley currently lead the competition with 50 points, while Oamaru is second with 40.

Player Pages:
Glynn Cameron | Daniel Conlan | Stuart Dickinson | Duncan Drew | Paul Johnston | Ben Sheat |

Albion 185 ( B Kernahan 103, D Shilito 15, P Odell 15, Johnston 4-41, Conlan 2-41 )
Union 186-6 ( P Johnston 44, S Dickinson 39, B Sheat 27no, D Drew 23, T Sidon 17, J Shields 12, Kernahan 3-53 )
Union won by 4 wickets
Full scorecard for the match