Freyberg out to break one-day drought
Freyberg are out to capture their first Manawatu¯ club one-day title in seven years, but will have to get past Marist, who are gunning for their third win in four seasons.
The two sides clash in the final at Fitzherbert Park today, Freyberg’s first final since they lost to Old Boys in the decider in the 2015-16 season.
Freyberg last won the one-day competition in 2013-14, when they beat Marist, which was their second title in a row.
Marist have been one of the top sides in the one-day competition in recent years and have been in the final for the past three years.
They lost to United last year, but won the two previous years, against Palmerston North Boys’ High School and Old Boys.
The match between Marist and Freyberg during the round-robin was abandoned due to rain.
That day Freyberg were bowled out for 205 in the last over and Marist were 74-1 after 18 overs before the rain came.
Freyberg finished second on the ladder with three wins, a loss and two abandonments, while Marist sneaked into fourth place in the last week of the round-robin, with two wins, two losses and two abandonments.
Marist beat defending champions United by 42 runs in the semifinal and Freyberg beat Boys’ High by 54 runs in their semifinal.
Both sides are essentially at full strength for the final, with depth in batting and bowling.
Injured bowlers Jack Gleeson (Marist) and Bevan Small (Freyberg) are the only players unavailable.
Key players for Freyberg will be rep all-rounder Thomas Kuggeleijn, who has been in good form this year, and rep bowler Brad Fulton.
The side has also recently been boosted by the return of all-rounder Bryn Wilson from Manawatu¯ Turbos rugby duty.
Scott Mitchell captains the side. Freyberg has enough seam bowling stocks, as well as spinner Finn Martin and Harry Wenham
For Marist, captain and allrounder Arana Noema-barnett is likely to play a role in the final, as well as all-rounder Floyd na Nagara and paceman Matt Wells.
Marist have plenty of seam bowlers, with Noema-barnett and Nic Carter as spin options.
Meanwhile, the Manawatu¯ under-17 boys’ team won the Central Districts tournament in Napier on Thursday.
In the final game, Manawatu¯ were bowled out for 102, but then dismissed Hawke’s Bay for just 51, with Saim Ahmed taking 6-18 from six overs.
Jett Donald-charnley also bowled magnificently and took 3-11 from six overs.
Manawatu¯ also had two players named in the CD under-19 team, which are competing at the national tournament in Christchurch this week, with batsman Curtis Heaphy and bowler Thomas Kirk selected.
Horowhenua Ka¯piti’s Chad Law is the assistant coach and Marlborough’s Jarrod Englefield the coach.
Marist: Craig Lawrence, Jacob Edmonds, Floyd na Nagara, Arana Noema-barnett (captain), Hugh Symes, Liam Gunning, Levi Woolston, Connor Morriss, Nic Carter, Mattwells, Dylan Lynch.
Freyberg: Thomas Walshe, Charles Parker, Scott Mitchell (captain), Thomas Kuggeleijn, Bryn Wilson, Jack Wenham, Harrywenham, Brad Fulton, Ali Ahkter, Tom Wilson, Finn Martin, Caleb Hansen.