Eastern Suburbs El Cheapo Cars  have emerged as the top qualifier for the three-day Wilkinson Pearce Cup final this coming weekend and will play already confirmed finalist Naenae Old Boys.

Easts comfortably defeated Petone Radiators Taita by 100 runs in the last day of regular season cricket on Saturday, while Naenae lost to last year’s  champions HRV Karori by seven wickets in the last round that was reduced to a series of one-day 50 over matches following last weekend’s washout.

There were wins to Onslow and North City in other Wilkinson Pearce Cup matches.

Petone-Riverside won the Wilkinson Hazlett Trophy by virtue of their 122-run win over bottom placed  Taita. Devon and Patterson Johnsonville were the bridesmaid once more, finishing second after beating Wainuiomata by 167 runs. Easts and Karori also had wins.

In the Pearce Cup, Easts made 245 for 9 against Taita. Ben Orton led the way with 92 while Taita captain and left arm spinner Mark Houghton took 3 for 26. In the Taita reply Sam Dean scored 78 and Nathan Cameron took 3 for 26 as the Hutt Valley side were dismissed for 145.

The feature game was between the already qualified Naenae and Karori. Naenae batted first but were bundled out for 109 in 26.2 overs. No one was able to reach twenty while Lee Edwards took 5 for 30. Karori cantered to their win with the loss of just three wickets.

Corey Larsen was Onslow’s  hero against  Wellington Collegians. Onslow made 264 after being sent into bat with Larsen scoring 51. There were three wicket bags to Malaesaili Tugaga and Scott Kuggeleijn. Collegians could only make 153 in reply with AJ Royfee getting 78. Larsen took three wickets, as did Leighton Burtt.

Upper Hutt were bundled out for 139 in 29.5 overs. Russell Kyne taking 4 for 41. He was to the fore scoring 71 in the North City innings as they hit the runs off in just 13.4 overs.

In Hazlett Trophy matches, Petone-Riverside made 206 for 8 against Taita. Sam Jones top scored with 51. Taita were bundled out for 84 with Sam Blandford taking 5 for 24.

Their nearest rivals Johnsonville made 249 for 7 against Wainuiomata thanks to an unbeaten 137 from Barry Rhodes .Wainui omata could muster just 82  in reply, with both Ryan Isaac and Luke Woodcock taking 3 for 25.

Hutt were invited to bat by Karori but could only score 120. Julian Balasingham took 4 for 30. Karori then knocked off the runs in 24.5 overs despite matt Kennedy taking 5-19.

University made 210 against Easts. James Boyle top scored with 78 and Hazeem Quazi took 3 for 46. Easts were in some trouble but a majestic century to Jamie O’Donnell saw them home. He hit six sixes and ten boundaries in an unbeaten 101.