Missed chances cost Wellington Collegians against defending champions and now clear Wilkinson Pearce Cup frontrunners Karori in their round four One-Day match at Karori Park on Saturday.

For the second match in a row, Collegians missed out in a tight contest that saw the winning team recover from a perilous position to take the initiative and win comfortably in the end.

In their previous match against the U20s it was veteran Matthew Bell who took the game away from them, this time it was Karori all-rounder Jarred Sewell who was instrumental in swinging the result Karori’s way  - with both bat and ball.

After a delayed start, Collegians were on top early, capailising on a calamatiius early run out and tight seam bowling by skipper Julian Brown, Clinton Butler and Malaesaili Tugaga in particular. Four for 36 soon became 5 for 51 when Sewell joined another of the game’s most valuable individuals, Tom Blundell, at the crease.

With the help of Blundell (27) and then captain Simon Baker (28), Sewell rescued Karori’s innings with an excellent innings of 88 not out. Despite being dropped at mid on on 39, Sewell led Karori to a competitive 189.

Following the break, Collegians got off to a solid start, thanks to positive batting and erratic bowling from an understrength attack, which eventually sent down 38 wides. But enter Sewell, whose off-spin slowed Collegians down and yielded 4 for 43. Blundell also proved a key man in the field, effecting a sharp run out, taking two catches and bowling 7 overs, 2 for 10.

Collegians’ chase wilted, and when they quickly went from 140 for 5 to 146 for 7 their chase ended and Karori closed in to seal a 31-run victory.

On Sunday, Karori made it consecutive wins for the weekend with a countback win over the Wellington U20s after rain set in later in the afternoon. Batting first, Karori made 216 in 48 overs. Blundell made 60 and Stefan Allan reached 53. Andrew Pollack took 4 for 36, Jamie Gibson 3 for 36 and Matt Taylor 3 for 31. Sean O’Connor was unbeaten on 30 and Henry Walsh not out 22 when the rain set in and the U20s were 80 for 3 after 27 overs.

Karori’s twin wins keeps them in front in the One-Day competition, which breaks this coming weekend for the double header Twenty20 round.

In other matches on Saturday, Naenae Old Boys won by 24 runs in a high scoring game against North City. Captain Mark Calkin led the way with 83 and he was assisted by Ronald Karaitiana scoring 68 as Naenae amassed 258. Tipene Friday was the best of the North City attack claiming 3 for 21.

Fifties were scored by Russell Pepperell and Michael Pollard for North City, but they lost by 24 runs.

Onslow dismissed Taita for just 59 as Andrew Lamb got 3 for 7. However they lost six wickets before reaching their target. Hamish Blomfield taking 3 for 17.

In the bottom of the table clash at Barton Oval, Upper Hutt made 128 against Eastern Suburbs. Daniel van der Hayden top scored with 52, Sam McLauchlan took 4 for 1 from 4 overs and Lance Dry 3- for 13. With Ben Orton continuing his strong early season form, scoring 56, Easts cruised home by seven wickets.

The Wilkinson Hazlett Trophy now has two joint leaders - with Wainuiomata and Karori hitting the front.

Wainuiomata scored 295 for 6 against bottom placed Taita. Brad Kennedy scored 110 and was assisted by captain Tim Wilson who made 88. Taita were bundled out for 45,  Sunnie Chan taking 7 for 24.

Karori dismissed University for 107 thanks to Simon Kent taking 6 for 13. They then scored 110 for 5 to win with plenty of overs to spare.

The most exciting game took place between Hutt District and Petone-Riverside. Petone-Riverside made 152, Leigh Kelly unbeaten on 43 and Adam Barrett getting 5 for 20. Hutt were then dismissed one run short. Mark Hewson 4 for 36 and Kelvin Snell 3 for 24 being the best bowlers. 

Johnsonville scored 263 for 6 against Easts. Both Hareem Silva and Barry Rhodes scored fifties. Easts were then bowled out for 171. Gareth Powell and David Castle both took three wickets.

In the Senior Women's competition, reigning champions Onslow had a ten wicket win over Hutt District. Hutt made 78 with Katie Hoffman getting 3 for 21. Onslow made 80-0.

Collegians made 155 against Johnsonville. Rachel Chin scored a maiden fifty but Michelle Bunkall 5 for 22 and Kelly Sutherland 4 for 15 did the damage. Johnsonville then scored 156 for 3 with Megan Wakefield and Sutherland scoring half-centuries.

For scoreboards and points tables (Saturday) click here

To view the Pearce Cup Team of the Week for 19 and 20 November click here