Bears take upset win over Hawke’s Bay
Horowhenua-ka¯ piti should be full of confidence when they play their next game at Levin’s Donnelly Park.
They secured an upset firstinnings win over Hawke’s Bay last weekend and their fancied opponents only just escaped the follow-on. The Bears’ next game is not until mid-january, but they’ll want to maintain their momentum after an impressive performance against the Bay.
The Bears travelled to Napier to take on a Hawke’s Bay side littered with Central Districts experience.
With the majority of Bay players currently in the CD first-class setup or CD talent-identifcation pool, the Horowhenua-ka¯ piti players knew they had a chance to showcase their own skills.
Rain all week had the covers left on for extended periods, which freshened up the wicket.
The Bears travelled to Napier to take on a Hawke’s Bay side littered with Central Districts experience.
The Bears were sent into bat. The in-form Dion Sanson (23) and talented Matthew Good (74) were first to face the aggressive Bay bowlers. A 53-run opening partnership had Horowhenuaka¯ piti off to a positive start.
Player-coach Chad Law (74) settled in to what became a marathon innings of 196 balls. Law had further support from Kelsey Fahey (38), Andre Halbert (35) and Ryan Mccone to end a positive opening day on 284-7.
The Bears were bowled out for 291 on day two.
The Bay were travelling nicely at 82-0 after just 13 overs, before a steady fall of wickets. They were wobbling at 131-4 at lunch.
Two further wickets fell to CD Stags after lunch, including a fantastic catch from Liam Pinfold, who was at full stretch flying through the air for the one-handed grab.
Pinfold snared a couple of wickets himself and the Bay were reduced to 164-9.
However, young Stag Christian Leopard, who suffered a lower back injury while bowling, showed courage and some big-hitting ability to support Todd Watson and get the Bay past the follow-on target of 191.
With an 85-run lead on the first innings, Horowhenua-ka¯ piti added 77-1 before the captains agreed to call off the game.
The Bears have a break before playing Whanganui on January 13-14 at the refurbished Donnelly Park.