Cricket: Taranaki ambush Hawke Cup holders

Ryan Evans

In a rain shortened Furlong Cup match against the powerful Hawkes Bay side Whitaker Civil Taranaki bagged 11 points and all the kudos.

This was the perfect start to the season that coach Chris Coombe and captain Sam Fastier had been planning.

With a magical bowling spell from seamer John Beale (pictured), who grabbed 6 wickets for 31 runs in his debut game on the first morning, Taranaki were able to apply the pressure, win on the first innings, and only allow Hawkes Bay to take four points from the game.

With speedster Ryan Watson and canny left-arm spinner Mattie Thomas picking up two wickets each Hawkes Bay were dismissed for 98. At 8-52 it was only a block-busting 51 not out by Todd Watson that saved Hawkes Bay from some real blushes.

Throw in plenty of accurate bowling with some outstanding catching from Jordan Gard and Josh Borrell and the best of them all, a diving caught and bowled by Watson, the team couldn’t have wished for a better first-up bowling performance.

Dean Robinson and Borrell cantered through to 0-34 by lunch when rain dictated that there would be no more action on day one.

With an 11am start on day two, waiting for the outfield to dry, Robinson and Borrell took the score to 64 before Robinson (23) fell. From there it went to 5-99, one run in credit, with Borrell making 46.

The two players that ensured the total got beyond 200 were Liam Muggeridge, who was last man out having scored a polished 43, and Watson who, with some clean hitting, scored 39 from 25 balls.

103 runs ahead, the Taranaki side set about trying to force an outright win, and with Watson and Gard both picking up early wickets, this looked like a possibility.

However, the experienced and talented Christian Leopard took an attacking approach and with a quick 45, along with support from Thomas Zorab and Bayley Wiggins, Hawkes Bay reached 3-111 before stumps were pulled with an hour of play left.

This was a polished performance by Taranaki which should provide a good deal of confidence leading into the Whanganui clash at Pukekura Park in a fortnight.

In round 1 where all games were affected by rain, Manawatu defeated Wairarapa and sit on 13 points while Whanganui, who bettered Horowhenua- Kapiti, are on 11 points, alongside Taranaki.

See the full scorecard here at Play HQ: https://www.playhq.com/.../furlong-cup/game-centre/25b5b0f8