Selwyn_Times: March 06, 2024

Selwyn Times Wednesday March 6 2024
20
SPORT
Back-to-back titles for Weedons
with dominant T20 final victory
Import
signs off
in style
• By Sam Coughlan
A WHIRLWIND innings from
Weedons’ English import has
seen them claim the Canterbury
Country premier T20 title for the
second year in a row on Sunday.
George Hill scored 101 from
just 55 balls to set up his side’s
total of 187 from their 20 overs,
and he backed it up with the ball,
taking 3 for 14 as Sefton only
managed 151 in reply.
Hill said his partnership with
Jeremy Benton set the game up
for them after losing three early
wickets.
“Jez (Benton) was more
rotating the strike, and I would
sort of tend to take a few more
risks.
“But in the partnership, we
worked really well. I think we
put on a hundred and something
(135) in pretty quick time.
“So it was nice batting with
Jez. He was keeping me calm and
all that kind of stuff, it was good
fun.”
It was Hill’s last appearance for
Weedons, with the 23-year-old
now linking up with his county
team Yorkshire for their preseason
in Abu Dhabi.
He said he had loved his time
with Weedons.
“It’s been a really good team
environment to play in.
“I couldn’t speak highly
enough about how much I’ve
enjoyed it over here, in terms of a
lifestyle point of view as well. It’s
been a great couple of months.
I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly.”
In the 45-over one-day competition,
Weedons are fifth with
one round to go – but just one
point behind Darfield in fourth.
TOP TEAM: Weedons celebrate their win over Sefton in the T20 final on Sunday.
The top four teams make the
semi-finals.
Darfield coach Shannon
McAleer said it’s a close run to
the finish – but they know a win
against Cheviot this weekend
will see them qualify.
“To get a top four finish would
be nice, and it’s completely
in our hands now. It’s not
mathematical, we don’t have to
rely on any other results.”
He said a semi-final berth was
their aim this season.
“That was the goal at the start
of the season, so it’s nice to be
close.
“A couple of washouts didn’t
help, which were probably some
games we might have got some
points from.
“We have been quite severely
impacted with some injuries as
well throughout the season and
also rep players too.”
McAleer said he hopes his side
can compete with some stronger
teams come finals time.
“We’re definitely not
favourites, I can promise you
that, but it’d be nice to be there
or thereabouts.
“There’s a couple of really strong
sides that are scrapping for those
semi final spots too.”
The tussle for finals spots is set
to go down to the wire with three
teams chasing two spots in the
semi-finals.
Third-placed Ohoka face
Weedons in fifth – the winning
team will qualify but if Weedons
lose, they will not be in the semifinals.
Ohoka could lose and still
qualify if Darfield lose to Cheviot,
and Darfield know a win will see
them into the top four.
Points
Sefton 38; Peninsula-
Harbour 30; Ohoka 29;
Darfield 27; Weedons
26; Oxford-Southbrook
21; Cheviot 16;
Lincoln 12; Leeston-
Southbridge 9
Fixtures
Sefton v Peninsula-
Harbour, Sefton
Domain
Lincoln v Oxford-
Southbrook, Lincoln
Domain
Ohoka v Weedons,
Mandeville Sports
Centre
Cheviot v Darfield,
Cheviot Domain
Bye: Leeston-
Southbridge
• All matches start at
noon on Saturday.
DOMINANT: English all-rounder George Hill (right) scored
101 and took 3/14.
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