Parnell and Bays nail final spots
Monday, 18 February 2013
The Parnell bowlers set up the semi-final win for their side
East Coast Bays will face Parnell in the Jeff Crowe Cup final on March 3rd after both sides picked up comfortable victories in yesterday`s semi-finals
ILG East Coast Bays v Auckland University - Windsor Park
ILG East Coast Bays moved one step closer to a triple crown when they comprehensively dumped Auckland University out of the one-day competition and booked themselves a spot in the final against Parnell on March 3rd.
Varsity`s confidence was high going into the match after they comfortably defeated defending champions Takapuna in the play-off round, but the semi-finals proved to be a bridge too far as they could only muster a total of 69 batting first.
Stuart Lipshaw claimed 4/24 just one day after bowling his side to victory against Suburbs New Lynn in the two-day competition, while his skipper Brad Schmulian returned the outstanding figures of 4/11 before his side wrapped up the victory with eight wickets to spare.
After winning the T20 competition earlier this season Bays are now just one limited overs victory away from lifting their second trophy, whilst they currently sit less than seven points off the pace in the two-day Major Championship with three rounds still to play.
Auckland University 69 (B Schmulian 4/11, S Lipshaw 4/24) lost to ILG East Coast Bays 70/2 by eight wickets.
Parnell v New World Victoria Park Grafton United - Shore Road
An unbeaten 75 from former Blackcap Tim McIntosh helped Parnell reach the Jeff Crowe Cup final with a seven wicket victory over New World Victoria Park Grafton United at Shore Road.
The visitors batted first and found the going tough with James Nicol (3/36) and Michael Ravlic (3/36) in particularly good form with the ball. Grafton were dismissed for 145, and the home side then had little trouble overturning that total as McIntosh blossomed.
Parnell will now face East Coast Bays in the Jeff Crowe Cup final on March 3rd with the final to be played on the Outer Oval at Eden Park.
New World Victoria Park Grafton United 145 (M Ravlic 3/36, J Nicol 3/36) lost to Parnell 146/3 (T McIntosh 75no) by seven wickets.