Merit RV NPOB managed to halt Nag N’ Noggin NPMU’s charge for a three-peat of titles in the 2023-24 season with victory in the Expert Turf three-day premier club final at Pukekura Park from March 22-24.

The match was punctuated by outstanding centuries in each batting lineup – the first to Marist’s Daniel Bernet who hit 118 as Marist worked their way through to 301 over 122 overs on a good batting deck. Bernet’s first century was backed up by solid supporting roles from Sam Fastier (32) and Jarred Cunningham (30).  For NPOB, Ben Frewin was the star with the ball, taking 5/66 while Jarrod Ritson was also a handful, finishing with figures of 3/60, with Mattie Thomas taking the last two wickets.

Jack Southern ensured Marist got off to a good start with the ball, claiming a wicket in the fourth over, but that was as good as it got once Rupert Young arrived at the crease. He and opener Oli Burbidge put on a 151-run stand, before Burbidge was dismissed for 91.

A series of partnerships then saw Young bring up a fighting century of his own, before falling for 117 with the scorecard reading 275/5.

It was left to Mattie Thomas (43 not out) and Josh Gard (14 not out) to get NPOB through to 312/5 before the captains shook hands early on Day 3 and hand NPOB their first title for the season and back to back 2-day crowns.

The first innings win for NPOB broke a run of three peats, with NPOB having achieved the feat the previous year and NPMU the year previously.

NPMU won the 2023/24 T20 and One Day titles.

The result continues a phenomenal winning run between these two clubs, having combined for all 12 premier titles across the three formats over the past 4 years.