Cricket: Take a bow Taranaki. We are proud of you

Ian Snook

Photo: The Hawke Cup Report

In a morning of highly emotional events, Sam Fastier’s troops moved alongside the Taranaki Hawke Cup teams of 1926/27 and 1933/34 by successfully defending the Hawke Cup on three occasions.

Next season they can target the 1993-96 squad who defended the cup successfully on seven occasions, which in modern Hawke Cup terms, is a big number.

Before the commencement of play the team gathered in a huddle, not this time to hear wise words from the leader, but to hear from Dean Robinson that this would be his last day in the Taranaki colours.

There was a lot of emotion amongst the boys. The greatest batsman in Taranaki history, and a great guy to go with it, was making this 126th game his last. He was ready. It was time.

What a way to finish. As a kid seventeen seasons previously he had been selected by Ali Jordan for his first game, also a Hawke Cup defence. A 50 in that game showed signs of what was ahead. Sixteen centuries and 5439 runs later, the bat is at rest. What a player.

Just for a moment, the importance of this game filtered into the distance as the boys took in the news, but there was still a job to be done.

South Canterbury sat at 67-6 overnight and were already out of the game. Taranaki were sitting on six sessions won from six.

The team refocused and the bustling, belligerent Jordan Gard took the ball at the parent’s tent end, and the little magician, Liam Carr, opened up from Wolfe’s end. The interesting aspect in amongst this was that both bowlers were sitting on 30 wickets for the season as the South Canterbury second innings commenced.

Who would be the leading wicket taker? Overnight Carr had grabbed three. First thing in the morning Gard skittled two. There was one wicket in it. Gard needed to hit those stumps again.

But of course when you are a magician you have a big advantage, and so it was, Carr bowled Carlaw and it was all over.

The South Canterbury captain was kind with his words saying that against Hawkes Bay last year they felt that they were often in the game and it gave them confidence for this challenge. However, Taranaki were certainly a level up and their intensity and winning the important moments, never allowed South Canterbury into the game.

That summed things up nicely.

By beating Manawatu to win a Hawke Cup challenge, then defeating Hawkes Bay to win the cup, followed by defences against Hamilton, Canterbury Country and South Canterbury, Taranaki have beaten the best of the best and there is no doubt they are the top provincial side in New Zealand as the season closes.

Every squad member can feel justifiably proud. So, for the sake of the Central Districts selectors, here are their names:

Sam Fastier ©, Jordan Gard (VC), Dean Robinson, Bailey Wisnewski, Josh Borrell, Rupert Young, Liam Muggeridge, Oli Burbidge, Jacob Leuthard-Richards, Trent McGrath, Mattie Thomas, Ryan Watson, Ben Frewin, Liam Carr, John Beale, Chris Logan.

But, don’t worry about Dean, he has retired.

Whitaker Civil Engineering Taranaki vs South Canterbury (Hawke Cup)

South Canterbury: 141. Jordy Gard 5-37. Liam Carr 3-6. Ryan Watson 2-43

Taranaki : 341. Liam Muggeridge 125. Rupert Young 75. Dean Robinson 43.

South Canterbury: 98-9 (one injured). Liam Carr 4-25. Ryan Watson 2-22. Jordan Gard 2-35

Taranaki won by an innings and 102 runs.