Lachie Jemmett top scored for Ashburton College in a losing cause on Monday. Photo supplied.Ashburton College let Timaru Boys’ High off the hook in Gillette Cup action, crashing to a 26 run defeat in a low scoring encounter at the Domain on Monday.

Everything was going swimmingly for the AshColl 1st XI at the innings break, after they won the toss and knocked off the visitors for a meagre total.

However, the Timaru Boys’ High side turned the tables as they skittled AshColl for an even 100 in the 40th over.

It was a meek way to collapse for the hosts after they had Timaru on the ropes earlier in the day.

Timaru Boys slumped to 14/2 in the fifth over after both openers Liam Andrews and Toby Clemmett had been removed cheaply.

Flynn Linton and Caleb Donaldson stabilised the innings over the next five overs.

However chaos soon followed as Timaru Boys lost four wickets for 10 runs as the heart of their batting was ripped out.

Cameos from Fletcher Rhodes (23) and McGregor Isbister (33*) guided Timaru Boys past 100, however there was little to crow about elsewhere as AshColl wrapped the innings up in the 44th over.

The wickets were shared around the bowlers with Devon Flannery (2-10), Ben Middleton (2-21) and Angus Jemmett (2-27) the standouts.

Set 127 to win, it was a slow and steady start by AshColl’s openers, Flannery and Jemmett.

Flannery departed in the ninth over for 7, followed by Isaac Bazley two overs later.

Even at 34/2 AshColl remained in the box seat, but once Jemmett and Jonty Small were sent packing, the screws tightened.

Lachie Jemmett held up one end and repelled Timaru’s bowlers temporarily, however his batting partners all came and went swiftly as the hosts collapsed to 53/5 and then 85/8.

AshColl’s final glimmer of hope in the match went when Jemmett was dismissed for a fighting 23, the sole batsman to offer any resistance.

Ross McCullough finished the tail off as AshColl came up 26 runs short.

Alex Power and Caleb Donaldson were the pick of the Timaru bowlers, both claiming three wicket bags.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 25 February 2020