Rain ruins Manawatu’s hopes

Manawatu’s chances of getting a Hawke Cup challenge are in dire straits following their second abandoned match this season.

Their game against Hawke’s Bay at Fitzherbert Park at the weekend was called off due to rain, the second time it has happened in two weeks, after their match against Wairarapa two weeks ago was abandoned without a ball bowled.

It puts Manawatu on the back foot behind Hawke’s Bay, who had an outright win over Horowhenuakapiti in their first game two weeks ago, and Taranaki, who had a first-innings win against Wanganui.

Manawatu will have to get at least first-innings wins in their remaining games against Horowhenua-kapiti, Taranaki and Wanganui, and hope Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki don’t get too far ahead of them.

Manawatu coach Mike Mason said it was not good in terms of them getting a Hawke Cup challenge and it was frustrating they hadn’t been able to play.

He hoped they would be able to get a full game in when they play Horowhenua-kapiti in Levin next weekend.

Manawatu’s wet weather in October and November hasn’t helped cricketers because they haven’t been able to play on grass yet this season and the only time the reps have played was the Chapple Cup one-day tournament in Napier at the start of the season.

The past three rounds of club cricket have been cancelled too.

Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu will both get three points for the abandoned match.

The game at the weekend did get underway at least, but it started raining before lunch on Saturday and they went off briefly.

They managed to sneak in a few more overs before the heavens opened for most of the afternoon.

Then on Sunday there had been wind in the morning and not much rain so they delayed play until after lunch and it almost looked like they would be able to get out there again.

They got the covers off, but it started raining again after lunch and that put an end to any chances, with the game called off about 2.30pm.

Not that it mattered, but Manawatu had won the toss on Saturday and put Hawke’s Bay in to bat, and they were 64-2 before they stopped.

It was a shame they didn’t play, because Manawatu had Central Districts players George Worker, Dane Cleaver, Mitch Renwick and Navin Patel in the side.