New coach lays down the Law
Horowhenua Ka¯ piti’s new playercoach expects his team to hit the ground running after a preseason tour to Australia, which included a win in their first run outdoors.
Former Manawatu¯ batsman Chad Law has left no stone unturned in preparing his team for their upcoming Chapple Cup one-day and Hawke Cup two-day qualification matches.
The 30-year-old led the team, under new skipper Andre Halbert, to Melbourne for a sojourn where team building and culture were high on the agenda, as well as valuable outdoor training.
There was also a visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to savour and a Friday-night outing to watch the Melbourne Storm beat the Cronulla Sharks in the NRL playoffs.
On Saturday, the team played their first game of the year against Point Cook Cricket Club, south of Melbourne, on an artificial pitch and an artificial hockey turf-style ground, something the Horowhenua Ka¯piti players hadn’t encountered before.
‘‘It was very fast – not good for diving on,’’ Law said. ‘‘It was set up with AFL goalposts. It was an amazing facility, but not good for the bowlers. You just had to get through the ring and it was away.’’
Point Cook batted first, scoring 189 and Horowhenua Ka¯pti replied with 230, batting their full 50 overs, with batsmen retiring to give others a hit. Matt Good scored 57, Ryan Mccone 52 and Adam Simonsen 35.
Horowhenua Ka¯ piti trained at the Cricket Victoria High Performance Centre and spent time in the gym and pool at their hotel in the first of what Law hoped would be regular trips.
‘‘It’s a tough one to beat. We’ve set the bar quite high. To the best of my knowledge I can’t think of other teams that have done it,’’ he said of the overseas camp.
‘‘Next year we’d love it if we’re in a position to do something similar and build on it.’’
As well as coaching the senior men’s team, Law, who lives in O¯ hau, works as the Horowhenua Ka¯ piti Cricket Association’s community pathways co-ordinator and does his share of administration.
The burly batsman is keen on setting up regular emerging players fixtures to reduce the gap between age-group and senior rep cricket, while also scoring enough runs to hold down his place in the senior team.
‘‘Obviously, that’s subject to form and selection. It’s not a given just because I’m coach.’’
Law’s not alone in Central Districts as a player-coach, with David Meiring holding the same role in Manawatu¯ . Law said the pair were in regular contact.
He wants his team to push the bigger associations to the limit, as well as having fun playing their cricket.
This year, the side welcomes back former Central Districts agegroup rep Liam Pinfold, a pace bowler who’s battled injuries. Law is also tipping big things from young left-handed batsman Bailey Te Tomo. Horowhenua Ka¯piti play Wairarapa away in their first Hawke Cup qualifier in November.