Rainfall saves the day for Lake Taupo¯ Premier
In last weekend’s Baywide Premier Grade action, Generation Homes Lake Taupo¯ Cricket Club Premiers were lucky to escape with shared points, courtesy of the wet weather that rolled across Owen Delany Park late on Saturday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, Lake Taupo¯ had bowled well to restrict an experienced Mt Maunganui side to 165/8, with AJ How, Nathaniel Higgins and Habib Malik picking up two wickets apiece.
The Mt Maunganui players were reluctant to leave the field when instructed to by the umpires, as a commanding victory was inevitable when the Lake Taupo¯ batting had been reduced to 34/6 before the rain set in.
Across the green outfields of Owen Delany Park, a local derby provided a much better result for the Lake Taupo¯ lads as they won a rain-reduced affair with College Old Boys B in Rotorua Senior Reserve Grade action.
Lake Taupo¯ skipper Wayne Shaw won the toss and sent his opponents in to bat. Alan Hay batted sensibly, knocking up his first 50 for the year. He was ably supported by Mitch Smith 40* and Jeremy Chatterton 26* as Old Boys posted a respectable 131/2 off their 20 overs.
In reply, Lake Taupo¯ opener
Sid Bichu knew the wet weather was going to play a part and went on the attack. He blasted 41 off 17 balls to ensure his team were well ahead of the required run rate when the game was eventually called off, with Lake Taupo¯ winning by nine wickets.
It wasn’t all bad for the College Old Boys, as their A team won another rainreduced match against the Rotorua Lions. Prepared for the inevitable downpour later in the day, start times were brought forward.
Batting first, Simon Smith and Chris Jackson opened for Old Boys and put on a solid 70 for the first wicket before Smith departed for 20 in the 10th over. Jackson went on to
record his first 50 for the year before being skittled by A Hettiarachchi in the 16th over. After the allotted 20 overs, Old Boys finished on 143/4.
Lions came in to bat but struggled against the Old Boys’ pace attack of Frano Allison and Hekie du Plessis, making 37/2 after six overs before the heavens opened, resulting in a narrow win to Old Boys on run rate.
In damp conditions in Rotorua, Generation Homes Lake Taupo¯ Academy won the toss and elected to bat first. Zac Forster fell early, but club veteran Jerome Dyer and Tom Martin settled in to establish a commanding 146-run partnership. Martin brought up his second consecutive half century of the Rotorua Senior
Reserve competition, before falling for 58. Lucas Neill saw out the remainder of the innings with Dyer unbeaten on 105, Lake Taupo¯ finishing their innings on 209/2.
With rain expected, Lake Taupo¯ rushed through their overs to ensure a result. Liam Allen bowled tight lines and picked up his first senior men’s wicket with a great catch from Luke O’Sullivan. Rain settled in and the game was called off after 11 overs, Whakatane only managing 72/1 and were well behind the required run rate. ■ Results
Baywide Premier — Bay of Plenty Cup
Mount Maunganui CC Premiers Vs Generation Homes Lake Taupo¯ CC Premiers — No Result Rotorua Senior Reserve T20 Championship
Taupo¯ Cossie College Old Boys B 131/2 (A Hay 51, M Smith 40*) lost to Generation Homes Lake Taupo¯ CC Reserves 85/1 (S Bichu 41) by 9 wickets (adjusted target 66 from 10 overs)
Taupo¯ Cossie College Old Boys A 143/4 (C Jackson 50) defeated Rotorua Lions 37/2 by 6 runs (adjusted target 43 from 6 overs) Generation Homes Lake Taupo¯ CC Academy 209/2 (J Dyer 105*, T Martin 58) defeated Whakatane High School 1st XI 72/1 by 43 runs (adjusted target 115 from 11 overs).