Cricket: Green Island captain confident for future
Green Island captain Mark Joyce proudly displays the Bing Harris Shield after his side (behind him) claimed its fifth title in six years. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Joyce led the Sunnyvale-based club to its fifth title win in six years.
The side had a strong spine in the form of seamer Dion Lobb, who took 51 wickets over the season, and batsman Scott Simpson, who scored more than 600 runs.
The loss of former Otago Volts batsman Jordan Sheed from last season was covered in part by Anthony Harris returning from Taieri, and the wise old heads played a part in the team's success, Joyce said.
''The thing with our team is overall we're probably a lot older than the other teams, so we've got a bit more experience as well,'' he said.
''It's certainly an enjoyable team to play for and it always helps to have a couple of younger guys to keep us older guys on our toes.''
While Green Island was unable to win on Saturday in a low-scoring affair against North East Valley, the bowlers had again done their job - a pattern which regularly unfolded throughout the summer.
''Our bowling was our strength over the season as a unit. We underperformed with the bat a bit at times, but we managed to sneak over the line.''
Just one player - middle-order batsman Jamie Munro - has opted to hang up the boots at this stage.
North East Valley 101 beat Green Island 89 by 12 runs
North East Valley scored a low 101 all out - Darren Broom top-scoring with 35 - but that was enough, as Green Island regularly lost wickets in reply.
Blair Soper (five for 38) had an impressive day with the ball for Green Island, and another victory looked certain.
However, Green Island struggled against some good bowling by brothers Simon (four for 15) and Jamie Murley (three for 25) and eventually finished 12 runs shy of the target
Albion 264/6 dec beat University Grange 150 by 114 runs
Albion finished the declaration format in second place after a comprehensive victory over University Grange.
Jamie Glenn (56) and Sam Ward (58) set the foundations with an opening partnership of 117 and, despite losing six wickets, declared at 264.
Albion bowlers Glenn (four for 14) and Michael Snedden (four for 31) then combined to bundle University Grange out for 150 after 43 overs.
Kaikorai 271/5 dec beat Carisbrook Dunedin 183 by 88 runs
Ryan Duffy hit 109 runs not out, dispatching the bowlers to all parts, as he powered his Kaikorai side to 271, before declaring after 57 overs.
Carisbrook started strongly, reaching 73 before losing its first wicket, but Tim Muir had a career day as he took seven wickets for 34 runs, leaving Carisbrook 88 runs shy.
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