St Albans sent a team to the annual Mud Cup pre-season competition in Blenheim for a 3rd year in a row. The competition was extended from 4 to 5 teams this year, with the addition of Heathcote. We made it through 3 round robin games across the Friday and Saturday (including a bye) before Sunday morning's final round.
A comfortable win against Sydenham promised much, but this was followed by defeats to Heathcote and the hosts. The final game against Burnside West University was called off halfway through due to rain. Burnside secured the Mud Cup title having been unbeaten in their 3 completed games, while Saints finished 4th, ahead of the winless Sydenham.
The last match against Burnside was a preview for for the opening weekend of the Christchurch club season, with the 2 sides facing off in both the Premiership and Championship grades. The 2-day competition kicks off with Timed games, a format last seen in the Championship grade in 2016/17.
Results
| Round | Day | Team 1 | Team 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Friday | Burnside 146/9 | Marlborough XI 98 | Burnside won by 48 runs |
| Round 1 | Friday | Sydenham 69 | St Albans 72/1 | St Albans won by 9 wickets |
| Round 2 | Friday | Heathcote 99 | Marlborough XI 74 | Heathcote won by 25 runs |
| Round 2 | Friday | Sydenham 120 | Burnside 121/1 | Burnside won by 9 wickets |
| Round 3 | Saturday | Marlborough XI 123/9 | Sydenham 111 | Marlborough XI won by 12 runs |
| Round 3 | Saturday | Heathcote 136/6 | St Albans 132/6 | Heathcote won by 4 runs |
| Round 4 | Saturday | St Albans 123 | Marlborough XI 127/7 | Marlborough XI won by 3 wickets |
| Round 4 | Saturday | Burnside 163/5 | Heathcote 141/9 | Burnside won by 22 runs |
| Round 5 | Sunday | Burnside 122 | St Albans - | No result |
| Round 5 | Sunday | Heathcote | Sydenham | No result |
Points Table
| Place | Team | Played | Won | Lost | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Burnside | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2nd | Heathcote | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 3rd | Marlborough | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 4th | St Albans | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 5th | Sydenham | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
