Century helps save Johnsonville

By Frank Neill

Pearce Cup holders Johnsonville were forced to concede first innings points to Karori when the two Wellington division 1 cricket teams met at Karori Park on 4 and 5 February.

Batting first, Johnsonville were all out for 164, with Devan Vishvaka contributing 64 of these runs.

Karori secured a 41-run lead when they scored 205.

Max Sargentina was Karori’s top scorer with 41 not out while Arjuna Jayasinghe added 36 runs.

Ben Hilder, who took four wickets at a cost of 35 runs, bowled outstandingly for Johnsonville, while Zac Ringrose also bowled well, taking three wickets at a cost of 69 runs.

Johnsonville significantly upped its performance in its second innings to reach 220 for the loss of just three wickets.

This ensured a draw, and the players agreed to cease play around an hour and a half before the scheduled stumps, with the

Action from Johnsonville’s match result a foregone conclusion.

Gareth Severin scored a century in Johnsonville’s second innings, finishing the day on 103 not out, and helping save his team from defeat.

Rakitha Weerasundara, with a score of 54, and Devan Vishvaka who scored 52, also batted well to keep Johnsonville in the match.

Johnsonville currently lies second in Wellington Cricket’s top division.

Onslow remained at the top of the Wellington division2 table when it claimed first innings points in its match with Victoria University’s first XI.

Batting first, Onslow scored 266.

Captain Micah Conway was the match’s top scorer with 69 runs.

Oscar Jackson was not far behind his captain, scoring 67 runs for Onslow.

Victoria University was all out for 203 in its first innings.

Henry McIntyre was outstanding with the ball for Onslow, taking four wickets at a cost of 54 runs.

Vice-captain Sean O’Connor also bowled well, taking two wickets at a cost of 46 runs.

Neither team got to bat in the second innings, ensuring the result was a draw.

Onslow’s second XI are the Wellington division 4 one day champions after defeating Hutt Districts Super Challengers in the final on 5 February.

Onslow went into the match having qualified top of the table with six wins and one loss.

Onslow won the toss and bowled first.

A tremendous start had Hutt Districts 33 for three wickets at the 17-over drinks break. A small cameo through the middle of the innings from Hutt Districts Jaco Vorster, who scored 48, got them to a total of 119 all out. Onslow took its time to chase down the small target, making sure not to lose early wickets. Kinal De Silva top scored with 58 not out as Onslow eventually chased down the total in 26 overs to claim a well rounded and dominant seven wicket victory.