Muddled start to season for Norths
A record of played six, lost three, with three abandoned matches makes ugly reading for the start of North City Cricket Club’s premier campaign.
But newly installed skipper Jayden Rose-Miles said there was a silver lining to the days where there was a lot of sitting around watching the rain.
‘‘This is a pretty new team and it [rain delays] gives us a chance to get to know each other a bit better,’’ he said.
The opening round on October 15 was lost due to bad weather, with Norths getting their season under way a week later, losing to Victoria University.
Ben Jansen top scored with 37 as the home side made 173 at Linden Park. Although Hamish Kyne took 3-35, University rolled to the target in 38 overs.
After another abandonment on October 29 against Naenae, a heavy loss followed against Hutt District at Te Whiti Park on November 5.
‘‘We didn’t play that badly, but one of their batsmen got away on us [Troy Johnson, who scored 144] and we ran out of steam,’’ RoseMiles said.
Hutt District scored 287/8 (Kyne with 4-31) but North City were dismissed for 93 in return.
Norths’ middle order batsman Matthew Carter, who is proving an excellent recruit so far, top scored with 45.
The November 12 match against Karori was rained off and on November 19, Norths lost a winnable match against Petone- Eastbourne at Ngatitoa Domain.
Petone-Eastbourne got 197, with Andrew Pollock (4-35) and Brendan Smallbone (3-36) bowling well.
Chasing, Norths paced it well, at one point 150-5, but crumbled to 180 all out.
Pollard scored 59, Amandeep Singh 37 and Carter 32.
Rose-Miles was confident a good run of form was just around the corner.
‘‘It’s been frustrating to start the season like this, considering we were roaring along in preseason, but the culture and spirit in the team is good, with a good mix of young players and a few older heads.
‘‘The Uni and Petone results could have gone our way on another day, and I’m sure once we get into regular play, the wins will come.
‘‘We need to get some batting partnerships together and we’ll be right up there.’’