Cricket: The best on show for Taranaki cricket’s final

Ian Snook

Once again, the two powerhouses of Taranaki club cricket, Merit RV New Plymouth Old Boys and Nag ‘N’ Noggin New Plymouth Marist United, will pit their skills and mental prowess against each other in the three-day Expert Turf Championship final at Pukekura Park starting on Friday (27th) at 10.30am.

Following a full round of two-day games, the top four teams NPOB, NPMU, Stratford and Metcalfe Real Estate Hawera United, played a round to sort out the two top seeds to go through.

Stratford were the big hitters in round one, amassing 464/6, lead by a mammoth 215 not out by Jamie Ingram and 104 by Cooper Patterson. Liam Muggeridge chimed in with a quick 73 not out as Hawera United used nine bowlers. Unfortunately, there was no outright win secured.

NPMU gained the advantage over NPOB when their lower order, lead by a polished 71 by Kurt Leuthart and a dogged 35 not out by Daniel Bernett saw them declare at 283/6 and follow this up with a dominant pace attack of Joshua Barrett, Angus Frew and Reeve Nelley dismissing NPOB for 133.

Stratford went big again in round two against NPOB with opener Riley Bettington in superb form scoring 133 against a representative quality attack. However, with the only real support coming from Muggeridge with 58, the final total of 288 would prove to be too little.

In a 234 ball innings NPOB’s Davis Mills displayed his prowess with a mammoth 139 not out, an exceptional knock when under pressure, and along with Rupert Young’s 91, NPOB passed the 288 with seven wickets down.

NPMU won the toss and batted against Hawera United in the other game and they might well have been thinking they had got it wrong when they were dismissed for 167 with Shaun Fowler, Shay Smith and Trent McGrath all capturing three wickets.

However, with Barrett, Frew, Jacob Leuthard-Richards and Bernet all grabbing two cheap wickets, Hawera only managed 121.

NPOB made sure of being top qualifier when they won the toss and bowled Hawera United out for 122 in round three. Skipper Jordan Gard blasted out five of the Hawera batsmen for only 21 – a match winning performance for sure.

They followed this with a total of 309/7 with Ben Frewin hitting a classy 91, Ben Mitchell 77 and Jack Parker 50.

Stratford went into the final round needing a win against NPMU if they were to follow up their one-day championship from a few weeks earlier and play in the final.

However, it wasn’t to be. NPMU won the toss and cracked on 350 with Leuthart at number nine hitting an accomplished 85. His partnership with Bernet, who scored 56 not out batting at eight, took the total almost beyond reach unless there was a couple of Stratford players scoring big.

With only Muggeridge offering any real hope scoring 77 not out, NPMU went through to the final with the top seed NPOB.

The final points were NPOB 55. NPMU 54. Stratford 45. Hawera 31.

This is going to be a heavyweight contest with both sides containing big punchers, capable of knockout blows.

NPOB are likely to line-up with a final XI of ten players who have represented Taranaki. There will be another couple who don’t make the eleven.

NPMU will possibly have eight rep players in their run-on side.

· This is how they shape up against each other. (NPOB names first)

Josh Borrell versus Michael Blanks. Borrell has had a quiet club season with only one score in excess of 50, but with two centuries for Taranaki and scores of 68 and 141 in last seasons losing final, he is the man for the big occasion. Blanks scored 157 in last year’s winning finals effort, notched up 47 in his last outing against NPOB, and is averaging 35 with six fifties and 650 runs this season. He is calm and determined competitor, and another who loves the big stage.

Jack Parker versus Robson Chapman Parker joined the Taranaki ranks this season and is coming off a 50 against Hawera. He has over 500 club runs, averaging near 25 and will be looking to go bigger than his best of 64. A three-day match will provide him with that opportunity. Chapman is a quality performer. With a century under his belt, averaging nearly 35 and scoring 630 runs including six fifties, he will glide along and accumulate steadily if not kept in check. His left arm medium paced swingers can also cause concern having bagged 12 wickets at only 15.08. His performance will be one to watch.

Davis Mills versus Chester Oldfield Mills is determined, dependable and well versed in his duties. Throw him the ball and he’ll do you a job. Bat him in the tough number three position and the pressure will help him thrive. His recent 139 not out against Stratford and with an average of 35 this season, suggests he will be a most valuable wicket for NPMU. Oldfield is the exuberant youth. Full of attacking strokes he has a century under his belt, an average of over 50 and more than 500 runs this club season. He has 58 in his most recent innings and with 86 not out in last years one day final he knows how to score runs on the big occasion.

Ben Mitchell versus Taene Nelley Mitchell is a very competent performer. Averaging over 30, with three scores over 50, a most recent innings of 77 against Hawera United, a brilliant 43 not out against NPMU in this year’s T20 final, and 40 in last year’s long format final, he loves the challenge. No player will be more determined. Nelley is from a talented family of cricket and rugby players. Already a Taranaki squad member and Central Districts age group rep, he is a technically correct left-handed batsman with a top score of 85 in the club scene this year. With plenty of time to bat, this finals format will suit him well.

Rupert Young versus Jacob Leuthard-Richards Young is amongst the best when it comes to Taranaki cricketers. Able to concentrate for long periods and deal with all types of bowling with an assured attitude and good technique. Coming off a rep season with a highest score of 157, he sits on a club average of 52 and a top score of 91. He will be chasing that elusive three figures for sure. Added to his abilities is his expertise with the wicket-keeping gloves. NPOB have a player here who can change a match, not unlike another great NPOB batsman/keeper, Terry

Dravitski. Leuthard-Richards hit the winning runs in the recent T20 final against the same opposition, is averaging over 45 in the club scene, scored 79 in his last outing against Stratford, can bowl when required, can wicket-keep if required, and is a quality fielder. He has superman qualities in all that he does. NPOB will be marking him as a crucial wicket.

Jordan Gard versus Robbie Yule Skipper Gard has the advantage of understanding and controlling a three-day game from his involvement in Taranaki’s Hawke Cup defences. With the same format applying for this final, Gard may well be the player to provide the extra edge. Coming off a five-wicket bag against Hawera and 15 wickets at an average of 17, his accuracy and determination, key components for any bowler, will play a big part as well. Last years final saw him pick up five and score 47 in a losing team. No one will be keener to change things around this time. Yule is an experienced player and has represented both Manawatu and Taranaki. Averaging over 30 with the bat and grabbing his nine wickets at a meagre 9.22, he can be a standout in the final. His ability in the middle order provides a tough central core for the NPMU batting.

Lucas Vassiliou versus Lenny Chapman This is an exciting battle between two youngsters. Vassiliou, a talented all-rounder, will relish this opportunity of performing at the park on the big occasion and will provide the left handedness to the quick bowling attack, and an aggressive attitude at the batting crease. Chapman is an an exhilarating left-handed bat, timing the ball as well as anyone in the province, with all the elegance of a Bert Sutcliffe from days gone by. Averaging nearly 33 and with a century in his armoury, this is his time to step forward and show his quality. Don’t be surprised if he does just that.

Ben Frewin versus Joshua Barrett Frewin is the pin-up boy of Taranaki cricket. His ability with bat and ball has seen him recently called into the Central Stags squad. His bowling stats are Alistar Jordanesque. There are 34 wickets at an average of 8.00 and a best of 6/25. He is also coming off his season highest score of 91 against Hawera and boasts an average of over 30. NPMU’s ability to play Frewin could well determine the outcome of this clash. Matching up to Frewin is Barrett. A wily campaigner with over 30 wickets tucked in his belt at an average of 15, and ability with the bat as well, Barrett is always a huge threat and often provides the edge for his team. He will love nothing better than pitting his skills against Frewin. His swing and guile pitted against Frewin’s pace and bounce, will be a game within the game.

Liam Carr versus Daniel Bernet Another absorbing clash will be between these two left-arm spinners. Carr is the jaunty youngster with flight and guile and Bernet is the accurate and flatter exponent, giving nothing away. Carr has had a quiet club season by his standards, but still has 13 wickets at just over 20, and can be relied on when on the big stage. Bernet has 22 wickets at a miserly average of 14, with his real test coming up when bowling on a flat Pukekura Park. Bernet has also sprung to life with the bat in the playoff games with scores of 35 not out and 56 not out in crucial situations, demonstrating his mental toughness and a good amount of ability.

Kyle Pillay versus Kurt Leuthart Pillay is your ever reliable performer, grabbing wickets when the opportunity is provided, this season with 15 at 21, and a best of 3/5. He is accurate and nagging, with a bit of swing and a bit of seam – just as required. His ability will come to the forefront on a flat track over three days, and he will provide the crucial back-up to the big boys. Leuthart has sprung into life in the playoffs with scores of 71 and 85 batting low in the order. His off spinners are also showing a maturing level, and he can sort out the best of batsmen. Any team would appreciate the added benefit of having a top player batting at nine, and this may turn out to be an advantage that NPMU have in the final analysis.

Callum Stuart and Jarrod Ritson versus Jack Southern and Angus Frew Stuart and Ritson, both having represented Taranaki, provide the pace and fire for NPOB and will be hoping for plenty of grass on a hard surface at the park. Both can dismiss good players, mainly through extra bounce and pace, and both have the fast bowler’s aggressive attitude. It is inbred into the club. If they can work as a pair and provide accuracy and length along with their pace, then they will be a handful. Now would be a good time to get a bag of five. Southern has proved to be consistent and accurate performer with 16 wickets at 20, but the real bonus this season has seen the arrival of the tall Angus Frew from Auckland who has whipped out 35 batsmen at a paltry 15 runs per wicket, including a best of 7/30. With a high and angular arm, Frew has been a problem for many batsmen. Just how he and Southern support Barrett on the flatter Pukekura Park wicket will be vital.

To pick a winner will take plenty of guess work. Will the toss be crucial? Will the predicted rain have an effect? Which individuals will perform best as part of the team? Which side will produce the best batting and bowling partnerships? Which team can perform with most consistency and intensity over the three days? Does NPMU’s record of having won the last four finals against NPOB over all formats, count for anything?

Hawera United’s supremo Kerry Fowler feels NPOB have a very slight edge pointing to Frewin and Gard as being the key players. He wasn’t too sure though.

Stratford coach Clinton Muggeridge, himself a former Taranaki quick bowler, suggested both teams are in with a chance, with the weight of Taranaki talent in the NPOB lineup providing a winning advantage.

Of course, nothing will be determined until it is played out. The matchups suggest a real slugfest coming down to a points decision on Sunday evening.

The only certainty is that if it rains and there is no first innings result, NPOB will be the champions.