Old Boys BYC kings

It came down to the wire, but Palmy Boys Old Boys can officially claim to be the kings of backyard cricket in Manawatu¯ .

The team became the first winners at the Manawatu¯ region Backyard Bash tournament held at the Rongotea Tavern on Sunday.

The day lived up to its promises of an authentic backyard cricket experience, with a constant wave of banter between teams, some contentious umpiring calls and players having to leap the neighbouring fences to retrieve the ball.

Organiser Logan Strange said the day ran without a hitch.

‘‘It would have been nice to have more [people], but the first event of its kind, you just have to go with it. I am very happy with it.’’

He said the Rongotea Tavern field provided everything they needed.

‘‘It is a really good ground for backyard cricket so we will be back here next year.’’

The tournament featured five teams – Old Boys, Wanderers, Lou Vincent Make a Wish Foundation, Blue Bowls and Silly Salmons – but had space for up to eight.

The final between Old Boys and the Wanderers came down to the last ball.

But the Wanderers failed to get the four runs they required for the win.

Strange, who has now changed his focus to the Hawke’s Bay event in two weeks, has big plans for the Backyard Bash in the future.

Next year, he hoped for 12 regional events nationwide, with the winners from each event going on to compete for the New Zealand title.