18-05-2025
Island Park's hopes extinguished
While the big guns continued to flex their muscle in the Metro Senior A pennant series, the story of round 7 was the result between the bottom teams, the Otago B52s moving back into 4th place — condemning Island Park to a 7th straight defeat in Waldronville.
In other results, Chisholm Links were no match for St Clair at Corstorphine while the Otago Bombers accounted for Taieri Lakes 4.5-1.5 despite 3 halved games.
At Balmacewen, the Bombers flew out of the blocks with wins to Luke Murdoch, Ben Patston and Duncan Croudis.
Both matches at 5 and 6 were halved — Callum Judkins (Bombers) and Josh Boath, Ryan Rosevear (Bombers) and Hayden Robertson — which secured a Bombers win.
Blair Bennett (Taieri Lakes) halved with Brandon Hodgson to give the visitors a half-point which may prove a key difference come finals time.
At St Clair, the presence of youth continues to be a revelation for the defending champions in 2025. After years of playing a Dad's Army squad, the young St Clair sextet continue to grow and are still yet to taste defeat.
Logan Clarke, Connor Howes, Parker Aluesi, Harvey O'Neill and Albie Reed all secured wins for the Saints while Will Summers was held to a half against Jason Pegler to complete the 5.5-.5 near whitewash.
At Island Park, the home side's hopes of a semifinal resurgence are now all but extinguished, going down to a young Otago B52s side 4-2.
The tail games were split each way with Otago Volts cricketer Jamal Todd (B52s) winning on debut while Brent Butler squared things up for Park over Lewis Harper.
Brian Helton and George Prendergast won their respective games at the top order to give the visitors 3 games while halves from Riki Bush and Jonty Smith were enough to claim an important away victory.
By Michael Minty
