Coldstream’s Sean Burgess bowls while Tech Stags batsman Harry Jones awaits the outcome of the delivery during Saturday’s Muirhead Rosebowl cricket action. Photo Heather MackenzieAn unbeaten 77 from opener Harry Jones helped his Tech Stags side to yet another win in Mid Canterbury Cricket’s Muirhead Rosebowl competition on Saturday.

Playing Coldstream in round four of the competition, the Stags continued their unbeaten Muirhead Rosebowl run with a seven-wicket win to put them in the box seat to add another piece of silverware to their collection this season.

But Coldstream didn’t make it easy for them. Batting first at the Ashburton Domain they made steady progress, but lost their final four wickets for just 10 runs to finish 161 all out.

Jono Print was Coldstream’s top batsman with 50 runs to his name before becoming one of Bevan Ravenscroft’s three victims, while Ben Niles made 34 before also falling to Ravenscroft.

But it was Des Kruger – better known more recently for his batting exploits – who did most of the damage with the ball for Tech.

He was the last bowler to come into the attack and bowled 7.3 overs, taking 5/20, including three of the last four wickets.

With a decent total to chase, Tech’s reply got off to a good start, with William McKee the first wicket to fall for 33 with his side on 55.

His fellow opener wasn’t going anywhere though, with Jones seeing his side home with a knock of 77 not out.

Tech made the target in 39.5 overs for the loss of just three wickets, with Kruger also still there at the end on 16 not out to complete a man of the match performance.

Meanwhile, up the road in Methven, the hosts managed to scrape a team together after having to default their game the previous week due to only having five players.

But it wasn’t their day, with visitors Lauriston heading away from the Methven Domain with a 174-run win to their names.

Lauriston batted first and made one of the biggest totals of the season so far, finishing up on 304/9, with opener Scott Maher making a fine 71 before Bevan Richan added 73 after coming in at four.

A nine-man Methven struggled to get anything going in reply and were eventually all out for 130 in 32.1 overs.

By Erin Tasker© The Ashburton Guardian - 11 February 2019