First inning win for Horowhenua-Ka¯piti in Furlong Cup

Horowhenua-Ka¯piti came away with a first-inning victory from their Furlong Cup match against Whanganui at the weekend - the first game played at Centennial Park in Marton in nine years.

Only 48 overs were possible for the entire two days of play as wet weather forced Whanganui and Horowhenua-Ka¯piti from the field at 2.41pm on Saturday. The rain stayed steady for the next 24 hours, seeing play abandoned on Sunday afternoon.

HK’s first inning victory was largely on the back of a stunning spell from strike bowler Nibu Jose who claimed 7-20, which even drew praise from the opposition coach.

The issue for Whanganui was they had not managed to bat through to start building an innings even if it could not be completed, as Horowhenua-Ka¯piti were able to tick off first innings points in swift fashion after the home side was bowled out for just 66 in 32.3 overs.

Only the professional Ben Smith (28 not out) had protected his wicket, and while a couple of players having a lack of grass wicket game time played a part in their dismissals, the rest did not lift to the occasion.

Regular bowlers Zack Benton (2-14) and vice-captain Carter Andrews made early breakthroughs, and then they handed over to strike weapon Nibu Jose.

Having played in the NelsonMarlborough region, the Indian-born bowler took 7-20 in just 11 overs, removing all of Smith’s batting partners before Benton came back to polish off the innings.

“He bowled really well. Give him credit, he was outstanding,” said Whanganui coach Warren Marr.

But the coach added that Whanganui’s issue was the lack of batting concentration to see off 20-odd balls from Jose in order to settle, instead being dismissed after 5-6 deliveries.

“It’s just not good enough really, on our part.

The visitors did not have the same issues – as the rain drizzled and then got heavier, they worked their way to 70-2 by the middle of the 16th over, enough to comfortably claim first innings points. Bailey Te Tomo (37 not out), carried his bat through, and while Whanganui had some success as returning fast bowler Oscar Mabin had the attacking Andre Halbert (17) caught out, while Ross Kinnerley induced a nick behind from Prabodha Arthavidu Ellawala Liyanage, Daniel Browne kept a straight bat until the run lead was secured.

WHANGANUI

Daniel Burgess c Bailey Te Tomo b Carter Andrews 3

Joel Clark c b Zack Benton 1 Ben Smith not out 28

Carter Hobbs c Jayden Rose-Miles b Nibu Jose 7

Shaun Oleary c Prabodha Arthavidu Ellawala Liyanage b Nibu Jose 2 Mark Fraser lbw Nibu Jose 0 Hadleigh O’Leary c Daniel Browne b Nibu Jose 6

Ross Kinnerley c Andre Halbert b Nibu Jose 4

Chris Sharrock (c) c Bailey Te Tomo b Nibu Jose 0

Oscar Mabin c Prabodha Arthavidu Ellawala Liyanage b Nibu Jose 10 Fraser Kinnerley c Jayden Rose-Miles b Zack Benton 2

Extras: 2WD, 1LB.

Total: 10 / 66 (32.3 Overs)

Fall of Wickets: 1-3 Joel Clark, 2-9

Daniel Burgess, 3-19 Carter Hobbs, 4-23 Shaun Oleary, 5-23 Mark Fraser, 6-33 Hadleigh O’Leary, 7-44 Ross Kinnerley, 8-44 Chris Sharrock, 9-56 Oscar Mabin, 10-66 Fraser Kinnerley Bowling: Zack Benton 7.3 1 14 2. Carter Andrews 10 1 23 1. Nibu Jose 11 4 20 7. Jesse Parker 4 2¯ 8 0. HOROWHENUA-KAPITI Bailey Te Tomo not out 37 Andre Halbert c Shaun Oleary b Oscar Mabin 17

Prabodha Arthavidu Ellawala Liyanage c Chris Sharrock b Ross Kinnerley 4

Daniel Browne not out 8 Extras: 4NB.

Total: 2 / 70 (15.3 Overs).

Fall of Wickets: 1-32 Andre Halbert, 2-50 Prabodha Arthavidu Ellawala Liyanage.

Bowling: Ross Kinnerley 7 0 32 1. Oscar Mabin 5 1 26 1. Shaun Oleary 2.3 0 10 0. Fraser Kinnerley 1 0 2 0.