The Union Senior team moved into the top four of the Borton Cup with a 4 wicket win against Albion in hot and dry conditions at Awamoa Park

After winning the toss and electing to bat the Albion was in trouble right from the start losing wickets constantly. It was only Brad Kernahan who looked to be comfortable in the conditions as he was losing partners at the other end of the wicket. Despite scoring at a rate of 5 an over, Albion found themselves at 117-7 and in danger of setting a sub-par score.

It was Kernahan who then started to attack and take advantage of the tiring Union fielders in the hot conditions. First he combined with Brent O'Conner to take Albion to 158, then put on 30 for the last wicket of the innings with Ryan Welsh, and in process notching up his second century of the season with a six. Kernahan was the final wicket, caught by Paul Johnston, for 103. Johnston was the best of the Union bowlers taking 4-41 of his ten over's while opener Daniel Conlan took 2-41. Albion all out for 184 in the 33rd over. Of main concern for the fielding side was the injury to North Otago all-rounder Glynn Cameron, pulling a calf muscle while bowling the second of over of his bowling spell.

Union got off to a great start with Duncan Drew and Stu Dickinson combining for 67 runs at a run ball in the first ten over's. However Dickinson's wicket started a collapse that saw three wickets fell quickly the bowling of Kernahan. Albion looked to be on top with the further loss of another of the Union wickets which brought Ben Sheat out to bat with Johnston with over 70 runs still required for victory. The two then combined for the largest partnership of the game, before the loss of Johnston, leg before wicket to the bowling of Dylan Winter, for a well scored 44. It was left to Ben Sheat to hit the ball over the in-field for the fifth boundary of this innings and to move his side to 186-6, a 4 wicket victory to the away team.

The win means that Union is now 3rd equal with 30 points along with St Kevin's and Albion. Valley currently lead the competition with 50 points, while Oamaru is second with 40.

In the past couple of weeks the North Otago Hawke Cup team has done battle with Southland and then South Canterbury at home in the southern zone for qualification for a Hawke Cup Challenge.

The team contained no less than four players from the Union Club (Duncan Drew, Ben Cant, Glynn Cameron, Chris Smith) who helped North Otago to an outright victory against Southland and first innings against South Canterbury.

In the first game North Otago looked to be in trouble at 85-6 before a 104 run partnership between Cameron and Paul Odell, from Albion, set their team up for a good 88 run lead in the first innings. In Southland's second innings, they where looking like setting up a sizeable run chase for North Otago before Cant ripped through the middle order taking 5-11 of seven overs. North Otago winning the match by 8 wickets.

In the game against South Canterbury after being asked to bat, Smith and Cant provided a good opening partnership of 63 that set their team up well for what was to follow. When Cameron came out to bat his team was 150-5 having lost a couple of quick wickets. He again then took part in the biggest partnership of the match, this time combining with Dunedin import Sean Eathorne, the pair putting on 118 in 89 minutes. When the partnership broken, Cameron out caught, he had notched up his first half century in North Otago colours. In the South Canterbury first innings, Cant once again proved his bowling credentials taking 6-30 in 17 over's. However despite the teams best efforts, the game ended in a draw after a good batting display from South Canterbury in their second innings following on.

Albion outbatted Union in the Dick Hunt trophy final at King George Park on Saturday to down the top qualifiers by 122 runs. Albion won the toss and decided to bat first and started slowly at 22 without loss after eight overs. Darren Shillito(32) and Peter Cartwright took the total through to 60 without loss after 20 overs. Cartwright in sparkling form was unbeaten on 52 after 30 overs as the run rate accelerated to 155 for two.With nine overs remaining Albion was 203 for three with Cartwright poised on 79.Jon Sinclair(34) and Dan Fletcher(40) had provided great support. Cartwright was eventually dismissed for 91 as Albion batted through its 50 overs to be 247 for nine at the end of the innings.

Union started badly slumping to 25 for three after just five overs.Ten overs later with Sean Conlan playing the anchor role Union had struggled through to 68 for four. Union then collapsed to 96 for eight after just 22 overs and the side was eventually dismissed for 125 in the 27th over. Conlan was the only batsman to show any spirit unbeaten on 52 at the close of play.

Ryan Walsh led the Albion attack taking five for 34 while Brad Kernahan and Dylan Winter took two wickets each.

In a repeat of last years final, Union Senior Reserves lost to arch rivial Albion in a high scoring final at Albions home ground of Awamoa Park

The Union Cricket Club Senior team had another big win, this time against Valley at King George Park, to set itself up as favourites for the Dick Hunt Final this coming weekend

After losing the toss and being forced to bat, the home team was in trouble with the score at 3-7 after three over's. Thomas Shields and Todd Sidon then started to steady the ship, and then put Union in a strong position combining for a 103 run partnership before the loss of Sidon for 59. Sidon making his first Senior half-century. With the loss of Shields for 60, his personal best in the senior grade, Union was 158-5 in the 34th over. The Union tail looked to attack, with captain Paul Johnston, continuing his fine batting form in the past few games, moving his total to 55 including 8 boundaries, before being caught and bowled by N McLachlan. Tail ender Daniel Conlan made a handy contribution with the bat scoring 18 not out as Union made 244, all out in the 49th over.

Valley where right with the run rate through their innings but with the constant loss of wickets the required partnerships never formulated to challenge the Union total. The only substantial partnership was between McLachlan and Suddaby, combining for 61 runs for the 8th wicket, but with the loss of McLachlan for a hard hit 42, Valley lost its last three wickets for the addition of only 2 runs.Paul Johnston backing up his half century with the bat was the best of the bowlers taking 4-16, while Dan Conlan took 3-25. Grant McMillian was the other bowler to take two wickets or more with 2-25, taking two the last two wickets in four balls.

Union will now play Albion in the Dick Hunt Final this coming weekend at King George Park. The Senior team have made an astonishing 10 appearances in the Dick Hunt final since 1998. They will be hoping to make it 6 wins in 11 games.