Cricket 2020 Mid Canterbury under 17. Photo supplied.An action-packed rep encounter at the Ashburton Oval finished with Mid Canterbury’s under-17s on the right side of the ledger.

The age group selection won a gripping showdown with South Canterbury by five wickets, with a complete team performance trumping a star showing by the visiting captain on Sunday.

The visitors racked up 250/6 batting first at the Domain Oval, off the back of a colossal turn at the crease by Toby Clemett.

Coming in at 20/1, the South Canterbury skipper hit 154 off 129 balls, which included 18 fours and a six.

It may have been a different story had he had support around him, although the number three bat managed to dominate the strike and scoring in a third wicket century stand alongside Logan Sowden (27) and again in a fourth wicket stand of 73 runs.

Hugh Saunders (2-29) and Lachie Gardner (2-39) were the pick of the Mid Canterbury attack.

It was a shaky start in reply for the hosts who lost Patrick Currie in the second over, bowled by Jarrod Phillips.

Angus Jemmett was joined by brother Lachie at the crease, as the pair firmed up the pursuit during the first 10 overs.

South Canterbury hit back with the wicket of Angus in the 10th over, to leave the hosts at 46/2.

Devon Flannery added 10 before he was caught to leave the visitors on top.

Jemmett and Toby Robinson then dug in to wrestle the advantage back in what was ultimately the decisive period of the match.

The duo took Mid Canterbury past 100, before adding another 107 runs in a fourth wicket stand totalling 143.

By the time Jemmett nicked behind for 80 in the 35th, the hosts were very much in the box seat, with just 44 required from the final 15 overs.

Robinson took up the mantle to ensure his side would get home, dominating the scoring over the next few overs.

He eventually fell for 86 with the win in sight, however his 80-ball effort proved to be a match winner, alongside Jemmett who also took a spectacular one handed catch in the gully, diving away to his left in the first innings.

The hosts got home in the 44th over, with five wickets and 37 balls to spare, to round out an outstanding win.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 5 December 2020