In a close match at the Gardens on Saturday, Northeast Valley snuck home by 18 runs to emerge the winner over Albion Knights.

NEV, batting first, got off to a steady start before Samuel Jones (13) was bowled by Tom Hume with the score on 30. Almost all of NEV’s batsmen made starts, but failed to develop their innings with Mitchell Mackie (21 not out) and Hunter Kindley (50 not out) the exceptions.

Valley’s innings closed at 152 after 27 overs with the loss of seven wickets. Top wicket taker for Albion was Kurt Johnston (three for 14 off four overs).

The Knights had a similar start to NEV with Kurt and Eli Turner taking the score to 29 before Eli was run out. Kurt showed his benefit from attending the South Island Primary Schools’ tournament batting sensibly to retire at 50.

In the middle stages of the game Kurt had good partnerships with Jamie Crawford (10) and Ryan Whelan (15) but a flurry of wickets followed the loss of their wickets with Albion six down for 101 after 21 overs.

However, Ben O’Farrell combined with Kurt to give NEV a good run for its money, running hard between wickets to pick up singles and twos before Ben (15) was run out in the last over of the game. Albion’s total 134.

For Valley, Tim Horton bowled good line and length to finish with one wicket for 17 runs off six overs while top wicket-takers were Hunter (three for 28 off 7) and Mitchell (two for 17 off 5).

The match was a good competition between two capable teams.