Cricket: Hawke Cup tenure over for Taranaki

Taranaki’s reign as Hawke Cup holders has ended, with Bay of Plenty claiming the trophy on first innings at Pukekura Park on Sunday.

The visitors passed Taranaki’s first-innings total of 254 an hour after lunch on the final day of the three-day match to secure the coveted prize, the first time since the 2016/17 season.

Wet weather disrupted the start of the fixture, with only one session possible on Friday. Taranaki’s Trent McGrath top-scored with 50 to help lay the platform for the hosts’ first-innings total.

It was Taranaki’s fifth defence of the cup, having won it from Hawke’s Bay last season.

The match was finely poised heading into day three.

Taranaki had Bay of Plenty reeling at 70/5 late on Saturday after an impressive bowling effort in the final session.

Ryan Watson starred with three wickets on Saturday, supported by returning left-arm spinner Mattie Thomas, back from injury, and Liam Carr, who claimed a wicket each. With the pitch offering assistance to the bowlers, momentum appeared to be with the hosts at stumps.

However, Bay of Plenty regrouped on Sunday and produced a composed batting display. Niven Dovey led the way with 109, while Mike De Beer (86) struck the boundary that carried Bay of Plenty past Taranaki’s total and sealed the trophy.

Bay of Plenty’s first defence of the Hawke Cup is yet to be confirmed.

At a glance: Taranaki 254 (T McGrath 50, R Young 47, J Earle 3/54), lost first innings to Bay of Plenty 257/6 (N Dovey 109, M De Beer 86, R Watson 3/54).