Cricket: Taranaki claim the Furlong Cup

By Ian Snook

Happiness is a plan coming to fruition. Joy is winning the war after losing some battles. The topsy turvy nature of cricket makes it what it is. Anxiety and nerves, eventually overcome by skill and determination.

That is the story of the Whitaker Civil Engineering Taranaki cricket team. This a ‘team’ in every sense of the word.

When skipper Sam Fastier raced like a 200-metre runner, around the boundary, to take a high and difficult catch, Manawatu were suddenly all out for 196, still 65 runs in arrears.

Taranaki had won the Furlong Cup and earned the right to challenge Hawkes Bay for the Hawke Cup, the premier trophy for provincial associations in New Zealand.

The size of the smile on Fastier’s face was only matched by the size of the Furlong Cup - big.

For much of the game Taranaki were under the pump, but this is a group that never gives in. From a losing position of 118-8, mid-afternoon on day one, Trent McGrath (79) and Jordan Gard (58 not out) batted above and beyond the call of duty, to ensure Taranaki posted a challenging total of 261.

In the process they secured three very important batting points against an accomplished attack and very good fielding side.

The challenge was now ahead for both sides. In a simplistic view Taranaki had to bowl Manawatu out and have a first innings lead. If Manawatu could score 300 in their 90 overs, or 262 with the loss of only 6 wickets, they could throw the Furlong in the van and drive home very pleased with themselves.

With day one honours evenly shared, day two was sure to be a cracker. The winning was there for the best side on the day.

Interestingly Manawatu had started their innings as if this was a timeless test, which possibly put them under a little pressure knowing that they may have needed to head towards 300 in their 90 overs.

Whetu Na Nagara scored eight from 81 balls, and Jaiden Meyer laboured for 80 balls in scoring 15 runs. Psychologically this was good for the Taranaki attack and they hit a rhythm and accuracy straight away, which they would maintain for the whole innings.

For parts of the Manawatu innings there were glimpses of taking control, but just as the batsman looked ‘in’, he got out. This was particularly the case of big hitting Jerome Robinson who pumped the ball straight to the safe hands of Fastier, when he was looking really dangerous on 71.

At lunch Manawatu needed a little over 100 runs with five wickets still in the bag. The target was not a big one.

With Thomas Kuggeleijn and Jonty Fleck at the crease, both looking very comfortable, Taranaki needed a champion to stand up. They made a plan.

Up steps quickie, Ryan Watson, who would set things in motion, bowling Kuggeleijn (44) with an absolute cracker of a ball. The big man had done the job asked of him.

Paceman Ben Frewin then got the better of Fleck (31), and soon Gard and Mattie Thomas had sewn things up. None of the final four batsmen would score above five.

Maintaining a consistent accuracy, backed by outstanding fielding, and lead by zippy and intimidating paceman Frewin, Manawatu were dismissed for 196.

The Taranaki camp was elated. This was a huge performance with every individual, regardless of numbers on the board, contributing in one way or another.

Frewin produced his best spell in the Taranaki colours capturing 5-27 from 15 overs. Watson got the crucial breakthrough, whilst Gard, Mattie Thomas and Liam Carr carried out their duties as required.

The cheers at the end topped off a great game for Fastier, hitting an accomplished 39 in what was a low scoring game, pocketing three catches in the outfield, and leading the team with calmness and intelligence.

The Furlong Cup is in the trophy cabinet. The Hawke Cup is the next target, with the challenge set for January 31-February 2 in Napier. I’m sure the belief is there.

Full match and competition details are available here at Play HQ: https://www.playhq.com/.../furlong-cup/game-centre/3f0e4fbf