The 2026/27 season commenced as it has for the previous two summers, with the highly competitive MUD Cup at Horton Park in Blenheim.
Marlborough, Heathcote, St Albans, Burnside West Christchurch University CC and Sydenham met for the annual pre-season tournament, with a slight change to the format this year. There was no final, with the tournament reverting to a league format where every game counted. There was little room for error, with teams unable to afford to drop a game.
In Friday’s opener, BWCUCC took on hosts Marlborough in what is always an exciting contest on Horton Park No.1. The teams had met in last year’s MUD Cup final, with BWCUCC coming out on top.
Nick Smith had a strong Friday with the ball in Blenheim. PHOTO: Hartland Images.
BWCUCC were firing and ready to defend their title, making light work of the hosts.
Batting first, BWCUCC posted a healthy 146/9 from their 20 overs in tricky conditions. CMCA 2025/26 Team of the Year member Nick Gibb picked up where he left off last summer, crafting an elegant 50 from 39 balls before being retired out. Callum Hill was the next best, supporting Gibb with 30 from 20 through the middle overs.
Nick Gibb was at his best against the hosts. PHOTO: Hartland Images.
BWCUCC’s bowlers proved too strong for the hosts, bowling Marlborough out for 98 in the final over. Alex McDuff picked up 2/19 from his four overs, including an opening-over maiden, which is like gold dust in the powerplay.
Curtis Millard showed fantastic signs heading into the summer, picking up 2/14 from 3.3 overs, while left-arm spinner Lachie Bartlett made his MUD Cup debut and claimed the crucial wicket of last year’s MUD Cup MVP, J Poole.
Callum Hill added 30 against Marlborough. PHOTO: Hartland Images.
In the afternoon fixture, BWCUCC made light work of Sydenham, bowling the South City side out for 120. Captain Matt Hay showed his class with the ball, picking up 2/8 from his four overs, while Nick Smith was the pick of the bowlers, shaping the ball beautifully on his way to 3/11 from three overs.
The batting was belligerent, with BWCUCC chasing down Sydenham’s total in the 12th over without losing an official wicket. Hay retired on 50 from just 22 balls, while Henry Christie finished 48 not out from 31 and Carl Huyser chipped in with 14 not out from as many balls.
Matt Hay tore the Sydenham attack apart. PHOTO: Hartland Images.
In what was arguably the match of the tournament on Saturday, BWCUCC batted first against a strong Heathcote outfit.
McDuff and Will Kennedy opened the innings and got BWCUCC off to a steady start before Aston Growden and Adam Winter combined for a hefty partnership of 70, with Winter at his ball-striking best, scoring 45. Growden finished 34 not out, while late-innings cameos from Gibb and Christie helped BWCUCC post 163/5 from their 20 overs.
With the ball, BWCUCC were put under plenty of pressure early, with Heathcote getting off to a fast start. The inclusion of Hay and Winter proved the difference, with Hay claiming 3/11 and Winter 4/25. McDuff finished with 3/21 as Heathcote closed on 141/9.
Championship captain, Alex McDuff, claimed valuable wickets all weekend. PHOTO: Hartland Images.
A win against St Albans would have secured BWCUCC a second MUD Cup victory, but the weather had the final say.
After batting first, BWCUCC were bowled out for 122 before rain brought an early end to the tournament. Gibb with 32 and Winter with 21 were the pick of the batters.
Adam Winter was named Player of the Tournament. PHOTO: Hartland Images.
Matt Hay was presented with the trophy and Adam Winter was named 2026 MUD Cup MVP, before the boys made their way home down the East Coast of the South Island, with the focus now shifting to round one against St Albans at Hagley Park’s Nursery Ground on Saturday.
Former Central Districts and Canterbury player Jarrod Englefield presents Matt Hay the MUD Cup. PHOTO: Hartland Images.
Adam Winter was presented with a fine bottle of Marlborough red for his MVP efforts, which he said he is looking forward to enjoying over a candle-lit Spring picnic. PHOTO: Nick Gibb.
A massive thanks goes out to everyone who supported the Quiz Night to help raise the funds to get the boys to the MUD Cup, as well as our ongoing sponsors. Their support is amazing, always massively appreciated and plays a huge part in helping the club get on the park.
Thanks to:
Tunnel Wash: https://tunnelwash.co.nz/
Rentworks: https://www.rentworks.nz/
Better Finance: https://better.co.nz/christchurch
Cantab Gourmet Chicken Wholesalers: https://cantabchicken.co.nz/
Fox & Associates: https://www.foxsurvey.co.nz/
Ray White Papanui: https://rwpapanui.co.nz/
Cricket Express: https://www.cricketexpress.co.nz/
Casbolts: https://www.casboltsmotorcycles.co