Ingham sets the pace in premier cricket

Waimea Toi Toi United opener Tom Ingham now leads the race for the Vonda Edwards Trophy batting award in this season’s Nelson premier club cricket competition.

Ingham’s match-winning century in the Nelson premier club 110-over final prior to the Christmas break has helped push him 71 runs clear of previous pacesetter, Stoke Nayland’s Dylan Eginton, with 343 runs.

Joe O’Connor’s century for Nelson in last weekend’s zone 3 Hawke Cup clash with Buller has moved him into third place with 248 runs.

It’s much tighter in the Syd Guppy Cup bowling stakes however, with four players tied on 17 wickets.

Previous leader, Nelson College spinner Felix Murray, has now been joined by Stoke Nayland seamers Ryan Edwards and Brad Duncan and WTTU’s Amit Dhiman, with Wanderers’ seamer Hayden Taylor trailing narrowly on 16.

Meanwhile, the return of Nelson’s representative players will provide a significant boost for several teams in Saturday’s second round of the 50-over competition.

Smarting from last weekend’s loss to Nelson College, WTTU will have in-form Central Stags batsman Greg Hay, Mason Thelin and Hamish Drummond back in their lineup as they prepare to take on first round winners Wakatu at Jubilee Park.

Wakatu will also welcome the return of batsman Matt Macquet to the fold.

Wanderers also suffered a first round loss, beaten by Wakatu, but have O’Connor, Tom Cross and Adam Leonard back as reinforcements for their clash with Athletic College Old Boys at Brightwater.

And despite last Saturday’s excellent batting performance that resulted in a huge win over ACOB, Stoke Nayland will be wary of a competitive Nelson College side bolstered by the return of allrounders Felix Murray and Paddy Howes for their match at the Marsden Rec.

Eginton is also back for Stoke Nayland following his useful allround efforts for Nelson against Buller.