Batting first pays dividends
Tuesday, Dec 17 2019
New Plymouth Marist United was crowned Revital Fertilisers one-day champion after a comfortable 58-run victory over New Plymouth Boys' High School on Sunday.
Winning the toss NPMU had no hesitation in batting first in an attempt to put runs on the board. Openers Ryan Fleming and Dean Robinson got their side off to a safe start with Robinson first to go with the score at 35. Fleming and then skipper Kurt Leuthart went in quick succession to leave NPMU 44 for 3 after 15 overs. Jarred Cunningham joined Robson Chapman at the crease and the pair combined for a 63-run partnership before Cunningham was bowled for 35 by Chris Logan. Chapman anchored the innings with a patient 71 off 123 balls to see his side through to 183 all out. Chris Logan was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 21 off 10 overs.
For NPBHS the run chase was a slow but steady start. The openers, Sebastian Lauderdale Smith and Oli Burbidge, put on 36 before Lauderdale Smith was dismissed for 23 with the score at 36. Only requiring one decent partnership, several NPBHS batsman got starts but could not go on with it as they lost wickets regularly. Burbidge and Shale Foy top-scored for the school side with 26 but ultimately they succumbed to the scoreboard and finals pressure, being bowled out for 125. The spin twins of Michael Blanks 3 for 20 and Kurt Leuthart 3 for 6 did most of the damage.
New Plymouth Physio Taranaki Women
A young and inexperienced Taranaki Women’s team travelled to Wanganui to take on Wairarapa in round three of the Mike Shrimpton Trophy.
Aimee Wisnewski captaining the team for the first time won the toss and elected to bat, a decision she may have regretted as Jess Hollard was dismissed for 1 in the 2nd over of the day. That brought Wisnewski to the crease only to witness Lydia Proffit being dismissed for a duck. Wisnewski batted well and would top score with 16 before being run out. The remaining batswoman would struggle to turn the strike over and and with them all failing to make double figures Taranaki was dismissed for 64 in the 22nd over.
Wairarapa would open with the Sims sisters, Kate and Gemma, they would combine for a 28 run opening stand before Briana Watson clean bowled Gemma. That would be the only success the Taranaki woman achieved as Kate went on to make 30 not out as Wairarapa would score the winning runs in the 15th over.
Premier Two Day Wrap Up
Round 2 – Day One
Table toppers New Plymouth Old Boys hold the advantage over the old foe of New Plymouth Marist United after day one of their two day match. NPOB got through to 212 all out thanks mainly to Will Young who made 83, Young on his comeback from shoulder surgery would be delighted to have spent some time in the middle. Young combined with opener Josh Borrell (49) to put on a 105 run stand. Michael Blanks was the stand out with the ball picking up 6 for 43 off 20.1 overs.
In reply NPMU were going along comfortably at 66 for 2 with 5 overs left in the days play but the NPOB bowlers struck 3 crucial blows to leave NPMU at 74 for 5 at stumps, all 5 wickets being given out LBW and 4 of them to Mattie Thomas.
Francis Douglas has put in their best days cricket of the season finishing on top of Stratford on day one. FDMC batted first and made it through to 280 for 7 declared, unfortunately for FDMC they scored at such a slow rate they only achieved the one batting bonus point. Murray Speed top scored with 62 and veteran Doug Proffit was 56 not out. In the 14 overs Stratford had before stumps FDMC were able to strike twice as Stratford finished 22 for 2.
New Plymouth Boys High could be forgiven for their performance on day one with the one day final coming up the next day. Asked to bat first NPBHS was dismissed for 147 with four batsman being dismissed in the 20s, Ethan Keller continued his form picking up another 3 wickets.
In reply Hawera found themselves 8 for 2 before Adam Keen and Amitoze Singh combined for a century stand to make light work of the first innings total. Keene went on to make a half century while overs player coach Singh bought up his first century in the premier competition. Hawera making it through to 244 for 9 at stumps.
In the final game of the round both Inglewood and Woodleigh are desperate for points after their round one performances. Inglewood batted first and were all out for 95 with stalwart Jason Dombroski making 95. At stumps Woodleigh were going along nicely at 93 for 2 with Taranaki batsman Shaun Sullivan not out 50.