Kaipaki Green bowled out for 203 by Star Uni

Kaipaki Green were looking to back up their strong performance last weekend as they took on Star University in Saturday cricket.

They batted first, opening up with Sean Gutry and James Wakeland.

Gutry backed up his 44 last weekend, this time with a fine 60 off 59 balls.

At the other end Wakeland, on debut for the Kaipaki nation, was in superb form punishing the Star Uni bowlers, making 81 off just 50 balls including eight 4s and four 6s.

Conor Jacobson then continued Kaipaki Green’s fantastic start, making 28 off 25 balls including two 4s and a magnificent 6.

Unfortunately the Kaipaki Green innings then fell away and they were bowled out for 203.

When it came to Star University’s turn to bat, Ben Woolerton, who is a tall opening bowler of brisk pace, made an early breakthrough.

Other Kaipaki Green bowlers to get among the wickets were Northern Districts Braves player Alisha Rout with 1-37 and Jacobson with 1-47 backing up his 28 with bat in hand.

Wakeland was magnificent after smashing Star Uni all over the park he then took 2-13 off four overs including two maidens.

Even though Kaipaki Green made Star Uni work hard for their runs, Star got home, chasing down Kaipaki’s 203, six wickets down.

Captain Zach Mahaffey did a fantastic job, directing his team around the park, and working hard off the field to make sure Kaipaki Green had a full team.

Kaipaki Gold v Eastlink

Kaipaki Gold Captain Dylan Jeffries arrived early at the nation’s capital with excitement on Saturday morning.

Kaipaki batted first in this one, but lost early wickets with one of these being former Kaipaki captain Carl Schwarz to a superb catch.

Lance Lee, who is a left-handed batsman and a handy wicketkeeper held the Kaipaki innings together playing some magnificent shots during a fine 47.

Lee was supported by Mac Gilkison usually known for his bowling but looking everything like a batsman.

Gilkison, who has recently returned from Auckland, and has played for the nation since he was 15, is a real asset for the Kaipaki nation. He made 28 with bat in hand. Kaipaki were dismissed for 160. When it came to Kaipaki Gold’s turn to take the ball, Rob Heke knocked over one of the Eastlink’s opening batsman leg stump early on.

Kaipaki fought hard, with captain Jeffries rotating his bowlers, Dharmik, Gilkinson and Barath all putting in huge efforts.

But it was Eastlink’s day chasing down Kaipaki Gold’s 160 to get the win.

Kaipaki XI v Cambridge Antiques

On a hot Sunday, a very experienced Kaipaki XI arrived at the beautiful Cambridge Square.

Kaipaki bowled first and what a magnificent effort it was in the field.

Graeme ‘Mintie” Mead steamed in with headband to protect his eyesight as the sweat was pouring off him from the effort he was putting into every ball.

Mead produced one of the highlights of the day by dismissing Darin ‘Bones’ Armstrong.

Mead finished with 2-23 off his four overs and took what some are saying one of the greatest catches ever seen at the Cambridge Square from first slip.

Mead was well supported by Wayne Clifford, who has been a sight to behold the last few weeks, back in his baggy green and gold cap, running his fingers across the ball and causing all sorts of problems for the opposition batsman.

Clifford finished with 1-16 off his four overs.

Captain Howard Baker who is known for usually talking his opponents out by the amount of spin he thinks he gets, took 1-20 off his four overs.

Other special mentions go to Kaipaki regulars Shane Whittaker bowling some sharp little medium pacers and Wayne Robinson with his little wobbly seamers. Cambridge posted 207. Kaipaki opened up with Kyle Walker and Hiki Toroa both outstanding Kaipaki club men.

But it was Cambridge that had the better start dismissing Walker, Toroa and Kaipaki’s favourite super hero Captain Compost Stu Giles early on.

This brought Clifford to the wicket and he topped off a fine all-round game by scoring 27.

Kaipaki looked in trouble after being 53-5, but after the efforts of Clifford and then Robinson who played beautifully for 38, Kaipaki were 153-7 and in with a chance.

Down the order, Whittaker and Captain Baker fought hard.

Whittaker a left-handed batsman plays fantastically behind square, helping the ball on its way down leg, and cutting superbly outside off.

Whittaker with 39 and Baker with 14 took Kaipaki so close, finishing just two runs short of what could have been a famous victory.