SEDDON PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND THREE WRAP

LONGKEEPERS AND BULLS PROGRESS TO THE GRAND FINAL

It was an exciting build up to Round Three of the Seddon Premier League. All four teams had a mathematical chance of making the inaugural Grand Final.

First up it was it was a desperate Kaipaki Bombers against Northern Stars. Kaipaki were yet to register their first SPL victory leading into the game and it was unsettling them. Northern Stars came into the SPL as firm favourites but were yet to produce any sort of form that lived up the pre competition billing.

Owner Colin Hickey after losing a few players to overseas contracts and representative cricket, had to pull out all stops just to field a competitive XI. Joey Yovich was one that answered his call..

This was to be the Bombers day. It was a very convincing performance from the men in green & gold. The Stars won the toss and elected to bowl but were put under immense pressure from the clean hitting of the attacking Bombers lineup, who eventually posted a big total of 226/8 in their 20 overs.

The Stars in reply didn’t quite get their innings going. They did rally towards the end, but the result was never in doubt after the Bombers restricted them for 57/4 early on which included the big scalps of Yovich, Van Zyl, Graafhuis and Kneebone. The Stars were bowled out for 207 in 20 overs. Kaipaki Bombers won by 19 runs.

Because of a Bombers win the Longkeepers entered their Round 3 game assured of a Grand Final spot. However, the Bulls were needing a victory to book their place. So, there was plenty to play for.

The Longkeepers won the toss and decided to put runs on the board first. Marconi and Patterson were both in belligerent form as they put on a 70 run second wicket stand. The Longkeepers innings did stutter however, and they only registered an underwhelming 187/6 in their 20 overs. Anything under 200 at Woodlands is a sub-par total.

The Bulls were very confident that they would provide the Longkeepers with their first loss of the SPL. They got away to a good start and looked like they would cruise to victory, but the Longkeepers showcased why they are indeed the form team of the SPL 2025. Their bowling and excellent fielding tighten the screws and the Bulls didn’t really have any batters that went on and get a big score, plenty of starts but no big score.

It got close towards the end but eventually the loss of too many wickets during the middle stages of the Bulls innings proved costly and the Longkeepers won by 5 wickets.

So how did it all end up then…The Longkeepers went through Round Robin unbeaten with 3 wins and the Bulls, Stars and Bombers all ended up on equal points with 1 win each. Net Run Rate decided the final standings and it was the Tamahere Bulls that progress through to the Grand Final!

The Grand Final will be played at Stark Oval on Sunday 6th April 2025. There will be a 3rd & 4th Playoff between the Stars and Bombers before that match. Please look out for Social Media Pre Final Build Up this coming week!

ROUND THREE STATISTICS:

KAIPAKI BOMBERS VS NORTHERN STARS

KAIPAKI BOMBERS 226/8 in 20 overs

Kieran McClintock 56

Jerem Wylie 49

Liam Coombes 41

Riley Parkinson 29

Jordan Van Zyl 3 for 16 off 4 overs

NORTHERN STARS 207/10

Liam Hayman 49

Dale Hopkins 33

Adam Close 26

Bryan King 3 for 51 off 4 overs

Liam Coombes 2 for 23 off 4 overs

Bombers won by 19 runs

FRANKLIN LONGKEEPERS VS TAMAHERE BULLS

FRANKLIN LONGKEEPERS 187/6 in 20 overs

Marcel Marconi 90

Greg Patterson 39

Guy Schwikkard 2 for 42 off 4 overs

TAMAHERE BULLS 182/9 in 20 overs

Cam Bourke 35no

Jason Hussey 28

Mitch Green 25

Brent Arnell 3 for 14 off 4 overs

Greg Patterson 3 for 48 off 4 overs

Longkeepers won by 5 runs