Waihi School versus Raroa Normal Intermediate School

Raroa Normal Intermediate School 222/7 – Joseph Bowden 103 BEAT Waihi School 120 all out – Alastair Harvey 40, William Harvey 31, Joseph Bowden 3/22, Dylan Wood 4-23 by 102 runs

Waihi School won the toss and elected to bowl first.

They were soon put under pressure by the star of the day Joseph Bowden who added his name to the record books by scoring a blistering 103 off only 62 balls. His innings included an astonishing 15 fours and 2 sixes.

Bowden was given good support by Sam Gifkins and together they put on 77 for the fifth wicket.

It was a tough morning in the field for the boys from Waihi School and towards the end of the innings they were scampering around the outfield trying to stop the onslaught from Bowden who brought up his century in style with a big 6 over mid-wicket.

Buoyed from their large total Raroa Normal Intermediate put a lot of pressure on the Waihi top order. Brothers William and Alastair Harvey put on a partnership of 78 for the fourth wicket and it looked like their calm approach could get them close.

However, Raroa were relentless and Dylan Wood and Joseph Bowden bowled exceptionally well picking up 4/23 and 3/22 respectively.

Raroa Normal Intermediate are the MILO Cup champions for 2010.

Well done to the Waihi boys who did themselves and their school proud and while runner-up is not the cup they wanted, they still managed to create history for their school by reaching the final.

A returning Jordan Morrow is the surprise selection as the South Canterbury cricket team look to bounce back and take maximum points against Mid-Canterbury in their second Hawke Cup round-robin match.

There are two changes from the 12-man squad that lost on the first innings to North Otago last weekend, with batsman and part-time spinner Maulik Patel coming into the side for the unavailable Srinivas KS. Morrow, who made his Hawke Cup debut in 2006, replaces Glenn Matthews, who is out for up to three weeks with an injured hamstring after bowling only two overs against North Otago.

There is no room for Celtic batsman Matt Mealings, with South Canterbury coach Richard Davidson suggesting he needed to score more runs at club level to force his way back into the team.

Patel is playing his cricket for Old Boys/Collegians in Christchurch, but had played for South Canterbury in this year’s pre-season and for South Canterbury age-group teams while he was at Timaru Boys’ High School, before finishing in 2007.

Davidson said the squad’s depth was being tested early, but “maximum points” were needed from the game in Ashburton tomorrow.

Davidson said the team had been working on their batting this week, the area that let them down when they were all out for 213 last Saturday.

“We’ve been working on our shot selection and batting [for long periods of] time,” Davidson said. “We need at least one of the top order to get a score, and a few to bat around him.”

Mid-Canterbury were beaten by an innings and eight runs by Southland last weekend, which means the race for first or second in the group, and an automatic Hawke Cup challenge against holders North Otago, hits a crucial point for both teams this weekend.

South Canterbury beat Mid-Canterbury by eight wickets in a pre-season one-day match at Ashburton a month ago.

Davidson said the pitch took a lot of spin, so he had four spinners ready to go, with Craig Davies, Jacob Naylor, Sam Carlaw and Patel all able to extract turn.

Naylor has emerged as one of the finds of the season for South Canterbury.

His unbeaten 41 and 23 at Aorangi Park last weekend, as well as being a spin option, made him tough to drop, according to Davidson.

“He’s become very hard to leave out.

“He’s batted three times for [South Canterbury] and hasn’t got out.

“He’s an integral member of the team.”

The efforts of the South Canterbury bowlers were largely overlooked against North Otago. Kevin Teahen took four for 86, while Craig Hinton also took two wickets.

The pair will shoulder most of the pace-bowling duties without the more express pace of Matthews. Davidson said despite Mid Canterbury’s heavy defeat last weekend, they had the players to threaten.

Bowlers Richard Print and Ryan Cockburn and batsman Des Kruger had all punished South Canterbury in the past and could do so again when play gets underway at the Ashburton Domain at 10.30am.

South Canterbury (squad): Dan Laming (c), Jeremy Liddy, Craig Hinton, Kevin Teahen, Jacob Naylor, Sam Carlaw, Jordan Morrow, James Laming, Alex McKenzie, Maulik Patel, Richard Preston, Craig Davies (one to be omitted).

The power of a drinks break in a game of cricket was evident as a superb all-round performance from Charles Darling catapulted Waihi School into the final of the national primary school cricket tournament in Palmerston North.

The three-wicket win yesterday looked unlikely until a timely drinks break halted Berkley Normal Intermediate School’s momentum.

Waihi won the toss and chose to try to take advantage of the 10.30am start.

The possible movement they were looking for did not eventuate and the school from Hamilton piled on the runs.

At 96 for one at the 18-over mark of the 35-over innings, Waihi coach Hamish Brown could see his team’s finals aspirations fading.

“We were definitely staring down the barrel of a big score,” Brown said.

Whatever was said during the short interval clearly worked, as Darling ripped through the Berkley batting order, on his way to figures of five for 17 from his seven overs.

He was supported by Alistair Harvey and Jonny Fitzpatrick who took two wickets each, as Berkley lost their remaining nine wickets for just 41 runs, to be all out for 137.

Berkley’s best was Chris Swanson with 43.

Brown said creating pressure brought his team back into the game.

“We just put the ball in good areas and created pressure.

“We got one wicket, and then another and it all compounded on [Berkley] a bit.”

Darling’s efforts weren’t done for the day, as he was soon out in the middle with bat in hand.

Two early wickets brought him and Lawrence Darling together, and they set about posting a half-century stand.

At 74 for two at drinks, Waihi were in charge, but quick wickets started a mini-collapse – Lawrence was dismissed for 56 and there was still work to do. It took a calm 15 not out from William Carter to guide his team home, with one ball to spare.

Waihi will face Raroa Normal Intermediate School from Wellington in the final. Raroa had a 67-run win over Christchurch South Intermediate School.

Brown believed he had the balance of the side correct and this would help them gain their first national cricket title in the school’s history.

A second-grade stalwart put Celtic to the sword, as one- day club cricket returned to South Canterbury.

Sam Wilson took four wickets for six runs for Timaru to ensure a half-strength Celtic side were skittled for just 79.

The five-wicket win may count for little, however. Timaru face the possibility of being stripped of their competition points for the win, after playing opening batsman Srinivas K S, who was named in the South Canterbury team to play North Otago over the weekend.

Meanwhile, a steady 89 from Star captain Phil McGregor saw his side down a spirited Roncalli College by 12 runs, at Ashbury Park.

Temuka, who were missing a couple of their key players, were dismissed for just 98 at Knottingly Park, as Waimate got home by six wickets.

Timaru’s five-wicket win was set up by Wilson, who took the first four wickets, to leave a below-par Celtic floundering at 22 for four.

The competition champions were missing half a dozen players due to representative duty, but left-armer Wilson, who was filling in for Craig Hinton, tormented a reshuffled Celtic top order.

Lusty hitting in the middle order from Ants de Joux, with 26, and 21 from Nick Cahill, were notable scores as the away side were all out after 23 overs.

Timaru’s reply was held together by Srinivas K S who finished 17 not out.

Timaru struggled to stay with him though, as they lost five wickets on their way to the total.

Josh Smallridge made 18, while Jordan Morrow finished 15 not out.

Paddy Farr was the pick of the Celtic bowlers, taking two for 24.

Timaru captain Hayden Butler said he was rapt.

He said Wilson put the ball in the right areas, and let the conditions do the rest.

McGregor held his side together against Roncalli, overcoming his traditional slow start, to produce a match-winning innings.

His 83-run partnership with George Harper, who made 36, proved the difference, as Star posted 217 for eight from their 45 overs.

Roncalli’s reply was a deliberate one, but it was littered with three run-outs.

Tom Pavletich and Harry Millar combined to hold the innings together, but the required run-rate kept creeping up.

Pavletich made 44, while Millar added 32.

It was left to Bruce Carlaw to find the boundary regularly, as the asking rate climbed above eight runs an over.

However, once he was removed for a brisk 31, Roncalli were always going to struggle. Some big hitting from Robbie Mulvena, with 24, was in vain, as Star hung on to claim victory.

McGregor said he always felt comfortable during his innings, and with the match situation.

“They bowled pretty tight early, and the ball wasn’t really coming on, it was a bit two-paced.

“I think the difference was probably that Pavletich and Harry Millar didn’t get going soon enough.

“I always felt comfortable, but it was a really good game.”

A good all-round bowling performance saw Waimate to victory. Three wickets from Matthew Sew Hoy, and two each from Murray Prattley, Matt Devlin and Alan Reid ensured Temuka’s total, of 98, would not be enough.

Waimate cruised to the target with the loss of four wickets.

Waimate captain Jason Sew Hoy said choosing to bowl first, after some rain in the days leading up to the match, proved vital to their success.

Temuka captain Willy Stone said Waimate used the conditions well and his under-strength team failed to put partnerships together.

Scoreboards

TOUGH WEEKEND: South Canterbury's Craig Hinton was just one of several South Canterbury bowlers who found the going tough against some good North Otago batting during their Hawke Cup match, at Aorangi Oval, over the weekend.

Sean Eathorne again proved a thorn in the side of the South Canterbury bowling attack, as he led North Otago to a crucial first innings win in their Hawke Cup round-robin match at Aorangi Oval.

The one-time Otago representative’s 172 equalled the highest ever score by a North Otago batsman, and ensured his side was the only team which could win the match, after the first day.

South Canterbury’s total of 213, in the first innings, was not enough on the flat deck.

Five players got over 20, but not one got past 50.

Openers Craig Davies and Richie Preston put on 47 for the first wicket, but they were both back in the pavilion when the score was 63.

North Otago bowler Ben Cant dismantled the South Canterbury top order, taking four of the first five wickets, reducing the home team to 110 for five.

It took two of the younger members of the ‘green and blacks’ in Jacob Naylor and Sam Carlaw, to show some fight.

Naylor was lucky to be out there, after the surprise omission of Srinivas K S, who was not allowed to play by his club.

The duo combined for an eighth- wicket stand of 74, before Carlaw was out for 41, with the score on 209.

The tail did not wag, thanks to James Horrell, who mopped up the last four wickets, finishing with four for 37.

Cant finished with figures of four for 31, while Naylor was left stranded on 41.

South Canterbury left-arm quick bowler Craig Hinton got two much-needed breakthroughs, early, for the home team, but Cant and Eathorne combined to make sure North Otago took first day honours. Despite the late wicket of Cant, for 67, North Otago finished on 145 for three, just 68 runs from taking first innings points.

Pace-bowler Glenn Mathews was only able to bowl two overs of his first spell before a hamstring complaint forced him out of the bowling attack for the rest of the game.

Eathorne started day two eagerly, and quickly pushed on from his overnight score of 58, as the South Canterbury bowlers struggled to contain him.

Duncan Drew came and went for 19, before Eathorne shared in another century stand, this time with wicketkeeper Mitchell Clarke.

Eathorne brought up his century from 162 balls, and refused to stop.

The 116-run partnership came to an end, with Clarke dismissed for 59.

The North Otago captain found enough allies after lunch to increase the scoring rate, as he rode his luck.

He was eventually dismissed after hitting 17 boundaries, facing 260 balls, and spending more than five hours at the crease.

South Canterbury had a deficit of 150 to make up.

Craig Davies was dismissed for a duck, but Richie Preston fought hard on his way to 54.

When he was dismissed after a 72-run, third-wicket partnership with Dan Laming, the captain combined with Naylor in an unbroken 56-run stand.

Laming finished on 68, while Naylor managed 23, before the match was called off, just before the final hour of play was to begin.

South Canterbury coach Richard Davidson offered few excuses for his team’s poor first innings.

“The first innings batting, that’s what let us down, you just can’t afford to do that, it wasn’t good enough.

“Good to show a bit of heart with Sam (Carlaw) and Jake (Naylor) at the end there, but it’s a tough ask from there.”

Davidson said he hoped Mathews would be right to play against Mid-Canterbury in South Canterbury’s next Hawke Cup match, in Ashburton.

Scoresheet

A club versus province row has broken out in South Canterbury cricket over the services of one of the region’s best players.

Indian-born Srinivas K S did not play in South Canterbury’s two-day Hawke Cup round-robin match against North Otago at Aorangi Oval over the weekend, after his Timaru club refused to release him to play.

Instead, the talented Timaru opening batsman played a one-day club game against Celtic, scoring 17 not out, in his team’s five-wicket win.

South Canterbury coach Richard Davidson was informed via email by Timaru club president Colin Cameron that Srinivas K S would not be available for the representative game, despite playing in the province’s three Hawke Cup warm-up matches.

Cameron said Srinivas K S had played the three representative fixtures because they were played on Sundays and did not interfere with his club commitments on a Saturday.

Because of the move, Timaru could lose the competition points they earned for beating Celtic, with South Canterbury Cricket president Andrew McRae suggesting the board would meet to discuss the matter this week.

“We want to be able to put the strongest possible [representative] team out there, and there are rules when it comes to club players when they are selected for a representative side,” McRae said.

“We received late notice that he was not available for the team, despite being in the picture for the previous three warm-up games.

“The board will look to meet some time at the completion of the [representative game against North Otago] to discuss the implications and a possible response.”

Davidson said he named Srinivas K S in his starting lineup for the North Otago game, believing a resolution could be found before the start of play.

He said he was disappointed by the situation, and felt it had been an unneeded distraction so close to an important fixture.

Cameron said Srinivas K S’s visa, which allows him to stay in New Zealand, was “tied up” with the club, but refused to reveal how much he is being paid to be the club’s “professional”.

“They [South Canterbury Cricket] are more than welcome to pick any of our players for the [representative] team, but not him.

“He is our club pro, he is contracted to us, his visa is with us, and he is committed to us.”

Cameron said Srinivas K S was keen to play for South Canterbury but was happy “to do what we want him to do”.

McRae said he was happy to meet with club officials to discuss a resolution.

“Timaru need to come to us with a proposal,” McRae said. “If it is a matter of [Srinivas K S] being paid, and him being seen as an employee, then I’m sure the association could look at reimbursement for his time with the [representative] side.”

Cameron said he was happy to meet with McRae to talk about the issue.

Dan Laming surveys his options as captain of Celtic, and now takes on the South Canterbury role.

The new South Canterbury cricket captain would not mind recreating some memories of his debut season.

Dan Laming has taken charge of the team which begins its quest to claim the Hawke Cup, today, against North Otago, at Aorangi Oval. Ironically, the team last won the cup in the 1999-2000 season, the exact time when Laming was called up to representative duty.

The No4 batsman will take over from Todd Elliotte, who retired from representative cricket at the end of last season, with more than 100 appearances for the “green and blacks”.

Laming said it was exciting to be given the role. “It’s a bit of an honour I guess, especially since I’ve played ever since we won [the Hawke Cup], that was my first season, and obviously Todd has been captain ever since.

“It’s a privilege, especially since I knew we had a good keen team coming through.”

Laming said he would like to think he was a “slightly more attacking” captain, than his predecessor. He described his form last season as “terrible”, with only a rollicking 162, late in the season, saving his blushes, and his batting average.

The former Celtic captain seemed to have put his poor form behind him however, as he has notched up four half-centuries, in all forms of the game, already this season.

“It [the form slump] is just something every player goes through, just for me, it seemed to last most of the season.

“It’s not even an innings, it’s a few good shots in your first innings, and it all comes back to you.

“Form’s a pretty temporary thing.”

He said the warm-up win over North Otago a fortnight ago proved the team could match-it with the current Hawke Cup holders.

“They’re a good side with ex-Black Cap David Sewell, and a few former Otago guys.

“They’re a pretty well-balanced side, I guess that’s why they have the Hawke Cup.”

Laming said the strong South Canterbury squad was creating competition for places, something the team had not seen for a long time.

Five of his Celtic teammates will accompany Laming today, something he felt made his captaincy easier out in the field.

“Knowing what part-timers can do – like Jeremy Liddy and Craig Davies – is good, knowing they can tie up an end makes it easier.

“Slow bowlers are the secret, especially in the second innings, with the ball not coming on.

“You just have to create pressure, and that will create the wickets, because it’s hard to nick people out there.”

Laming said the whole team was confident they could win the Hawke Cup later in the season.

“It’s the best opportunity we’ve had in a long time, especially with the Hawke Cup being in our zone, meaning we don’t even have to win our zone,” he said. “We’re confident all right.”

GETTING PHYSICAL: South Canterbury's James Laming leads the way in training in preparation for the weekend's first Hawke Cup game.

It will be back to basics for South Canterbury and North Otago when they meet in the opening match of their Hawke Cup campaigns tomorrow.

Both coaches said they were keen to get runs on the board to apply pressure early.

The `green and blacks’ may be starting the season on home soil, but they will not be eased into the competition, as they take on the current Hawke Cup holders.

The cup holders will head to Aorangi Oval tomorrow to begin their defence of New Zealand provincial cricket’s greatest prize, with memories of their six-wicket defeat in a one-day warm-up match at the same ground a fortnight ago.

South Canterbury coach Richard Davidson said his side would be at full-strength for the match.

There was still no room for Celtic’s Matt Mealings or Andy Scott, while twelfth man Jacob Naylor will be released to play club cricket for Roncalli.

Davidson said the usually placid Aorangi Oval wicket “had a bit of green on it at both ends”, but he did not read much into it.

“It usually flattens out and becomes a really good track,” he said.

“Hopefully, the spinners will be able to come into their own late in the game.”

He singled out up-and-coming left-arm spinner Sam Carlaw and Timaru all-rounder Srinivas KS who could roll his arm over in some long spells.

“Sam Carlaw, he’s really the key, he could be bowling 20 to 30 overs.

“Also with Alex McKenzie coming in, he’ll make that middle-order stronger and give us another bowling option, while Srinivas KS will look to make an impression with his batting, and he’ll bowl a bit which he hasn’t done much of this season.”

In what seems a stable batting lineup, much will rest with the Celtic duo of Craig Davies and captain Dan Laming.

Davies’ 156 forced a draw in the corresponding match last year, while Laming has hit four half centuries in all forms of the game already this season, after an indifferent 2009-2010 effort.

South Canterbury have won their last three warm-up games, but will have memories of their own, thanks to a heavy first innings defeat to North Otago in the competition, last year.

Davidson said while being rolled for 117 in the first innings was still fresh in his memory, there were still positives. “I’d say we got spanked that day, but we did manage to bat for the whole second day to draw that game.”

North Otago coach Sean Eathorne said holding the Hawke Cup added “real intensity” to their season.

He said they will play a stronger side than the team two weeks ago, with experienced pace-man David Sewell likely to lead the attack.

Eathorne, who is likely to play an integral part in the middle order for the visitors, said South Canterbury looked strong across the park, but he was confident his team had the players to earn victory this weekend.

“It’ll be pretty simple, get the runs on the board, and look to put pressure on them from there.

“I think we’ve got the team which can hold on to (the Hawke Cup), and we’re hoping to have a good start.”

Play will start tomorrow at 10am.

South Canterbury team to play North Otago: Dan Laming (c), Sam Carlaw, Craig Davies, Craig Hinton, James Laming, Jeremy Liddy, Glenn Matthews, Alex McKenzie, Richard Preston, Srinivas KS, Kevin Teahen, Jacob Naylor (12th man).

In a day better suited to ducks and dogs, Star took the opportunity to jump ahead in the senior two-day cricket competition.

In persistent drizzle, all three matches were affected by rain, but Star wasted little time in rolling Waimate for 59, in their second innings, to inflict an innings and 79-run defeat on the home team, and take their second outright win of the competition.

Star seam bowlers Craig Hinton and Jeremy Lane required just 17.4 overs to claim the nine Waimate wickets remaining, after the hosts had resumed at 15 for one.

Waimate were only able to add 44 runs to their total, as Lane ended with five for 25 and Hinton four for 24, to give the stand-in captain match figures of 10 for 56.

Hinton said the day could not have worked out better for his side.

“We spoke before the start of how important it would be to bowl a good line and hit our lengths, and for the fielders to take the few chances we created, and we managed to do that.”

Waimate captain Jason Sew Hoy took nothing away from Star’s second-day bowling effort, but admitted the wet conditions had made the pitch “a bit two-paced”, which made it difficult to play expansive shots.

At Rockdale Rd, Celtic were tormented by the weather, and some handy batting from the Timaru lower order, to be denied outright points, for the second match in a row.

Timaru held a 30-run lead with six wickets left in their second innings.

Play was delayed by an hour and forty minutes, but when it began, left-arm spinner Sam Carlaw picked up a wicket with the fifth ball of the day.

Celtic’s five-wicket man in the first innings, James Laming, was soon up to his old tricks, but not before Grant Brookland and former Geraldine player Michael King had combined to take the lead close to 100.

Laming eventually bowled both men, Brookland making a gritty 28 and King 18.

Jordan Morrow fell for five, as James’ brother, Dan, got in on the action, but a determined 30 from Josh Smallridge, batting at nine, frustrated the competition favourites, and while the tail may not have wagged, it did bat time, to make 196.

James Laming bagged five for 43, to end with match figures of 10 for 64.

Celtic were left to ponder their 126-run target from the 37 overs remaining.

They need not have worried, as the light rain got heavier and kept the players off the field, until captains Craig Davies and Hayden Butler decided to call the game off.

Davies said the draw had put them in a tough spot, having failed to capitalise on dominant first-day positions, in both rounds.

“We’re going to have to play a bit of catchup,” he said about the gap Star had created at the top of the competition.

Butler admitted his side had “got out of jail free” after a dismal display with the bat on day one.

He said being able to put a consistent starting XI on the park would be crucial to their chances for the remainder of the season.

Only 18 overs were bowled at Temuka, with Roncalli hanging on for a draw against the home team, despite being 25 for four, following-on, after the first day.

Temuka were only able to gain one further wicket. Robbie Mulvena led the Roncalli resistance, with a stubborn 25 not out.

The teams will re-focus on the one-day competition next week, while the South Canterbury representative players will be missing through Hawke Cup duty.

HONOURS BOARD

James Laming 5 for 43
Jeremy Lane 5 for 25

Scoresheets

The Waihi first XI were given the perfect shot in the arm yesterday, as they prepared for their assault on the Milo Cup national cricket finals.

Former New Zealand coach David Trist took the team through a 90-minute training session, where the former Canterbury fast bowler looked to give the team the edge to lift the cup, when the finals begin next month.

Waihi coach Hamish Brown said Trist took the team through some basic mental techniques, before a net session saw him give tips to both the batsmen and bowlers.

“He was very open and forthcoming with his ideas and giving out the techniques that he had learned,” said Brown.

“He (Trist) pulled a few of the boys aside and had a chat to them individually as well, which was great.”

Brown described it as a great way to motivate his players before they head to Palmerston North for the finals, which will see them play the best teams from both the North and South Island.

“It was a real shot in the arm for the boys,” he said.

“They’re all really keen to learn.

Brown said Trist, who was the coach of the Black Caps from 1999 to 2001, worked hard on the team’s mental application.

“He showed them how to relax in between balls,” he said.

“He spoke about how critical moments in a game can lead to you winning a game.”

Brown said the session was also beneficial for him personally as a coach.

“It was great, just to stand next to him, and listen to the way he spoke, and to realise certain things he was saying were things you were already sort of thinking.”

Brown said that, despite the long wait for the finals to begin, he expected competition cricket tomorrow, and several inter-school fixtures in the lead-up to the matches, would keep his team in good form.