1st innings win for Taranaki

Travis Stewart

The Good Home Taranaki men’s side put up a much improved performance over the weekend picking up a first innings win over Whanganui.

Losing the toss, Taranaki were asked to bowl first and it wasn’t long before they struck some success with “Energy City Ford” Ryan Watson picking up the first of his two wickets in just the third over of the day. In an inspired move, Taranaki skipper “Taranaki Associated Cleaners” Dean Robinson introduced spin in the 15th over in the way of “Icons Sports Bar” Mattie Thomas, the move was an instant success with Thomas completing a wicket maiden in his first over. Thomas proved difficult to face as he bowled a 13 over spell with figures of 4 for 25 leaving Whanganui in trouble at 56 for 6. Whanganui tail wagged a little as they eked out 125 before Thomas came back to pick up his five wicket bag.

Taranaki openers of Robinson and “India Todays” Sebastian Lauderdale Smith made batting look a damn sight easier as they put Taranaki in a strong position with a century opening stand. The partnership was broken with the score at 114 with Lauderdale Smith out for 53. Inglewood’s Bailey Wisnewski joined Robinson at the crease and the pair saw Taranaki through to stumps at 145 for 1 and first innings points in the bag.

Day two plan for Taranaki was simple, get to 300 to secure the batting bonus points and look to bowl Whanganui out again to score an outright win. Robinson was out early on day two for 78, Wisnewski would prove to be the mainstay of the innings as be batted superbly to secure his first century at the representative level finishing on 100 not out from 137 balls, his innings included 15 boundaries, “Energy City Ford” Ryan Watson put the finishing touches on the innings as he blasted 59 off just 26 balls to allow Taranaki to declare at 321 for 4 before lunch.

The task for the Taranaki bowlers was now to pick up ten wickets however with the pitch flattening out it was always going to be tough ask. With 77 overs at their disposal the Taranaki bowlers toiled hard and with 20 overs left in the day they had Whanganui at 121 for 5. The Whanganui batters dug deep and eventually stumps were drawn with Whanganui holding on at 203 for 7.

Taranaki come away from the weekend with first innings and maximum bonus points to leave them middle of the table but have a game in hand which was the postponed round two fixture against Wairarapa.

The Good Home Taranaki teams next assignment is against Horowhenua on December 11th and 12th at Pukekura Park.

Club cricket

It was the start of the Alpha Sports two-day competition on the weekend.

In the first game NPBHS have turned the fortunes around after a disappointing one day campaign with a dominant display with the bat. Choosing to bat first was a good decision as openers Chester Oldfield and JB Burger put on 155 for the first wickets. Oldfield was first to go for 59, Burger was joined by Jacob Mitchell and the pair put on 130 for 2nd wicket before Burger was dismissed for 154. Mitchell went on to score 73 as NPBHS declared at an impressive 301 for 4. In reply Hawera have made a steady being 105 for 3 after 40 overs. Hawera will look to lift the scoring next week if they are to secure their batting bonus points.

New Plymouth Old Boys look to be in control of their match versus Francis Douglas but they will be disappointed to have not picked up their batting bonus points. NPOB posted 192 all out with Oli Burbidge top scoring with 55 while Jackson Braddock Pajo made 37. Sam Taylor continues to impress with 4 for 52 off 21 overs. In reply Josh Elder proved to be the only resistance as he scored a patient 46 off 110 balls with his side going to stumps at 83 for 7.

New Plymouth Marist United hold a slight advantage over an improved Woodleigh team. NPMU posted 231 all out with skipper Kurt Leuthart top scoring with 70. Harmandeep Sharma picked up four wickets with Tyler Slingsby three. In reply Woodleigh are 84 for 5 at stumps having lost a wicket in the final over of the day. Woodleigh’s fortunes will rely on Josh Roguski on day two.

The final game of the round sees Inglewood in total control over Stratford. Inglewood fell four runs short of securing maximum batting points as they posted 276 for 7 declared, the star of the show was Troy Chilcott who scored 101 off 152 balls. Stratford will start day two in trouble at 44 for 6 however they will welcome back their representative players Liam Muggeridge and Phil Barraclough who can bat.