Suburban Emerging Players defeat Canterbury Cricket Second Grade Selection XI

For the fourth consecutive year a Christchurch Suburban Emerging Players selection took the field to take on the Canterbury Cricket Second Grade Selection XI.

The annual competition, hosted by the Christchurch Suburban Cricket Association and the Canterbury Cricket Association in alternate years, is keenly contested with yesterday's match resulting in a win to Suburban by 116 runs.

The highlight of the match was an outstanding century from Blair Cotching, who amassed 115 runs. This innings made up the bulk of the Suburban runs, who got through to 224/8 in a rain-affected 45-over match.

In reply the Second Grade XI fell to be all out for 108 in the 27th over, recording a crippling five ducks in the innings. Matt Barlow made the highest run total, accumulating 28 not out with Kim Smythe contributing 25.

Suburban bowler Mike Buchman proved to be the most successful of the Suburban bowlers, taking four wickets for 39 runs. Leighton Johnston also made a significant contribution to the bowling attack, finishing with 3 for 24.

Blair Cotching was rewarded the player of the match for his magnificent century and his bowling figures of 2-19.

The two teams have now share two wins each for this annual match.