By Jonathan Leask  November 7 2011

The Tech Sharks took a major step towards to claiming the Pritchard Shield with a 94 run win over Fairfield in round five of Mid Canterbury senior cricket on Saturday.

The top of the table clash went the way of the Sharks handing them the inside running to win the shield after handing Fairfield their first loss.
Lauriston managed to get the better of Coldstream thanks to a superb individual effort with the ball while Pritchard Shield holders Allenton eased past the Tech Stags.

Fairfield v Tech Sharks

In the top-of-the-table clash the Sharks' ability with the ball proved the difference as they were able to subdue Fairfield and take a 94 run win.
After being in deep trouble at 32/5, Dan Thomas survived an early lbw appeal to post the first century of the season in steering the Sharks to a total of 203/9 with his
110 not out.
There were also contributions from Michael Thomas with 25 and 24 from Dave Morrison.
Chris Hill did the early damage for Fairfield, taking four wickets, but Dan Thomas was able to swing the game back in the Sharks' favour.
In reply Fairfield made a solid start to be 50/0 but their top order was strangled by the Sharks bowlers and as runs became harder to comeby, wickets tumbled as Fairfield was all out for 110.
Bo Houston again top scored for Fairfield with 30 with Jordan Bird also adding 25 before the rest of the order struggled to score.
Dan Thomas also delivered with the ball, taking 3/9 off his nine overs and Will Veint also picked up four wickets as the Sharks took the crucial victory.
It was Fairfield's first defeat and they now head into the bye with the Sharks taking the advantage with two games left to be able to claim the Pritchard Shield.

Lauriston v Coldstream

Lauriston's new recruit proved the difference as Bevan Richan took six wickets to help his side beat Coldstream by 13 runs.
Lauriston batted first and only Scott Maher made any sort of total scoring 31 as his side posted 108, which included of 19 wides.
Andrew Bennett was the pick of the Coldstream bowlers with 3/17 but five catches went the way of the Print family, with each of the four on the field taking at least one catch.
Coldstream's reply struggled from the get go and the only effort of note was a late flurry from Terry Kingsbury hitting 27, but it wasn't enough as Coldstream was all out for 95, despite also receiving 11 wides in return.
The difference was the bowling of Richan, who ripped through the Coldstream order on his way to figures of 6/29 from his nine overs.

Tech Stags v Allenton

A nine-man Allenton claimed a 58 run win over the Tech Stags, leaving them with a slim chance to defend the Pritchard Shield but the result left the Stags winless.
Lyall Jemmett posted 50 with Cawte Whiting the next best batsman with 17 as Allenton managed 144/8 after 41.3 overs.
The Stags will again be cursing a loose effort in the field, gifting Allenton 28 extras while Callum Gallagher picked up 2/20 and Sean Strange had 2/24.
Ryan Stoddart then set about working his way through the Stags order taking 6/21 as Allenton dismissed the Stags for 86 in the 33rd over.
Nick Wilson top scored for the Stags with 30 with Mitchell Ewing adding 17.