Planks destroy Morrinsville

The Hamilton Planks cricket team played opponents and defending champs Morrinsville at St Paul’s on Sunday.

St Paul’s ground was immaculate and sporting a new picket fence around the boundary which is very handy in saving the Planks from chasing and searching for the ball in the local vegetation.

The Planks were in the field first and was good to see the Kane Williamson of the Planks, Ritchie Stevens, give first use of the new ball to debutants Darren Mordecai and Kevin Bartels, who bowled an extremely tight line and length. They were replaced by Nick Shoston and Grant Wood, also both on debut, who carried on the great work of the opening bowlers.

At drinks at the 20 overs mark, Morrinsville was 69-4 with the only bowler out these four not picking up their first Planks career wicket being Kevin Bartels, who was unlucky with a couple of edges towards slips that went to hand.

After drinks the skipper rotated through the rest of his bowling stocks and uncovered a new star in Jeremy Spence (also on debut) who ended up with figures of the day of 3-22 off 6 overs. The main bowling figures were, Darren Mordecai 2/26, Nick Shoston 1/13, Grant Wood 1/20, Laurie Bradly 1-16 & Ritchie Ste- vens 1-17.

Morrinsville was all out for 148 in 38 overs with the top scores being Mike P, 35 not out and Wayne R, 36 who managed a few lusty bows at the end trying to up their total.

There were some signs of lack of match play with at least 3 dropped catches and 18 extras which included 13 wides and 3 no balls, but overall the skipper was pleased with the fielding effort.

Opening the batting for the Planks after lunch were Stephen Clark and Tony Govorko, chasing 149 to win, set off well with both retirees with 30 each to their names, followed well by Kevin Bartel and Captain Fantastic Stevens who kept the scoring moving along nicely so at drinks the Planks were 96-0 cruising to victory.

Ritchie Stevens retired on 30 in the 27th over and was soon followed by Kevin Bartel with an excellent 32.

Nick Shoston and Louis Ott finished the game off quickly with Ott hitting a lusty 4 to the long mid-wicket boundary for the Planks to win by a comfortable 10 wickets inside 29 overs.

Louis Ott was awarded the Planks Player of the Day by the Morrinsville captain for his fine display behind the stumps.

Of course it goes without saying that the match day organising team of Blair and Sue Finlayson did a fine job arranging the lunch and dinner provided.