Kaipaki cricketers tour Taranaki
On the first leg of their Taranaki tour, the Kaipaki Cricket Club XI arrived at the Mangorei Cricket Ground to take on Mangorei last Saturday.
Kaipaki captain Sean Gutry won the toss and decided to bat first in overcast conditions.
Kaipaki opened the batting with Sean Bonenkamp and Leighton Parsons. Bonenkamp was first to go when he was bowled by left-arm spinner Dean Butcher.
This brought Dominic Hodgson to the crease. He looked good before getting out due to a leg before wicket (LBW).
Englishman Alex Bayley then made 21 before he was also called for an LBW.
This brought David Fox to the crease. Fox started well hitting three 4s through point in his first eight balls.
Parsons and Fox took Kaipaki through to drinks. Fox was then run out for 32 (off 42 balls) which included five 4s.
Parsons played an innings of 73, which included seven 4s and two 6s, before Jarrod McDonald and Conor Cooke brought energy to the batting crease.
It was Dylan Jeffries who played a beautiful innings for the visitors, hitting a 6 and four 4s in a timely 48 (off 38 balls).
Jeffries batted with Rob Heke, who looked in complete control during a well put together 29.
Kaipaki made 199 off their 40 overs. Mangorei opened with former New Zealand opening batsman Peter Ingram.
Ingram, 45, hasn’t lost any of his talent, timing the ball to perfection.
Opening bowlers Heke and Parsons worked hard but had no answer to Ingram.
Captain Gutry then made an inspirational double change bringing on right-arm seamer Erin Hunt and left-arm spinner Jeffries.
Hunt took 3/47, including the wicket of Ingram, which was superbly caught by Jeffries at mid-wicket. At the other end, Jeffries took an impressive 2/24.
Mac Gilkison was the other bowler used. He charged in and attacked the crease, getting good bounce and carry through to wicketkeeper Cooke.
Even though Gilkison went wicketless he bowled great lines to the Mangorei batsmen.
Parsons topped off a great day by taking 2/45 and a great catch.
Hodgson also took a high ball catch in the outfield.
Mangorei reached the Kaipaki target seven wickets down but it was a great competitive game of cricket.
Peter Ingram was Mangorei’s player of the day and Erin Hunt was Kaipaki’s.