A hotly contested National Men's Under 19 Tournament has culminated in Auckland’s U19 Men claiming their second consecutive national title at Lincoln University.
Auckland won three-from-four matches throughout the tournament and crucially picked up 11 points in the three-day fixture beginning last Saturday.
Heading into the three-day format, Wellington led the points table with 13 tournament points, while ND and Auckland sat narrowly behind with 10 points apiece – setting up for an exciting finish to the competition.
Wellington’s hopes of a title were dashed by a determined effort from Canterbury, who managed to escape with a 1-wicket victory.
Requiring 121 in the final innings, Canterbury limped over the line thanks to tail enders Hamish Caird (15*) and Hunter Shore (5*).
Seam bowler Amogh Paranjpe (6-67 & 3-38) fought valiantly for Wellington, returning nine important wickets and keeping his side right in the game.
Central Districts and Northern Districts reached a stalemate in their three-day contest, with batters from both sides unwilling to give an inch.
A pair of centuries to Aryan Mann (116 off 131) and Angus Henry (136 off 110 balls) put ND firmly in the driver’s seat during their first innings.
CD opener Andrew Rawnsley (112 off 91) returned the favour, supported by tournament top run-scorer Samuel Payne (88 off 88) to give their side a fighting chance.
The efforts of Rawnsley and Payne set ND a target of 140 runs for victory, with just 15 overs remaining in the day.
Remarkably, a blistering 113-run partnership between Xavier Bell (54 off 29) and captain Seb Heath (60 off 39) would get ND within touching distance, agonisingly falling 3 runs short of the target.
Auckland were able to pick up a more comprehensive victory in their three-day match thanks two fine outings with the bat.
Auckland were able to post 300+ in both innings thanks to centurions Jaskaran Sandhu (140 off 163) in the first innings, and Vir Chib (107 off 124) in the second.
Otago’s Mason Gain (70 off 99) looked in good form in Otago’s first innings, but it was leg-spinner Harry Waite (5-53) who sealed the victory for Auckland in the Otago’s second dig, bagging a crucial five-wicket haul.
Samuel Payne of Central Districts would finish as tournament top run-scorer, amassing 280 runs at an average of 56.0, including one century and one half-century.
Auckland’s Tom Jones was not far behind, tallying 278 runs at an average of 55.6, including one century and two half-centuries.
Wellington’s Amogh Paranjpe would lead all wicket-takers with 16 wickets at an average of 15.75.
Otago seamer Lloyd Fellowes claimed second spot, nabbing 13 wickets at an average of 15.76.
The tournament witnessed a number of fine individual performances, including 5 x five-wicket bags and an incredible 15 x centuries.
Congratulations to all the players who competed for their domestic regions, and to eventual champions Auckland.
Final Points:
21 Auckland
19 Northern Districts
16 Wellington
12 Central Districts
10 Canterbury
8 Otago
