North bowlers prosper at home before visitors hold on for draw

The Northland men’s side took on Hamilton on Saturday and Sunday at Cobham Oval, with the game ending in a draw, despite some top efforts among the Northland team.

Hamilton won the toss and asked Northland to bat. Rory Christopherson and Luke Trigg opened the innings for Northland and were both out relatively cheaply.

At 20 for 2, Ollie White and Ian Page formed a strong third-wicket partnership. They added 83 before White was dismissed for 32, caught at square leg. Page and Ben Hyde (28) added a further 38 before Page was out for 50, and a mini collapse in the Northland middle order unfolded.

After being 141 for 3, the home team slumped to 196 for 8 and, with Stacy Hyndman absent through illness, Northland were lucky to get through to 217 for 9, before Ben Hyde was forced to declare.

Neal Parlane was the only batsman to show real resolve in the middle order. He was the last batsman dismissed, for 39.

In reply, Hamilton lost their first wicket in the first over; Nathan Parkes, being the early wicket taker. Hamilton added 34 for the second wicket before the Northland side dominated and within a four-over period, Hamilton went from 37 for 2, to 50 for 6.

Bruce Martin was the dominant factor and his left arm spin had the Hamilton top order in disarray.

Hamilton fought back through some aggressive batting from Fred Walker, but Martin and Parkes mopped up the tail and the Hamilton side was dismissed for 143.

Martin finished with his best figures for Northland (6 for 64), as did Nathan Parkes (4 for 26).

With a 74-run lead, Northland then set about trying to set a target for Hamilton to chase, giving the home side the chance to bowl Hamilton out and get outright points.

At 35 for 1, Northland were in complete control but poor shot selection and consistent bowling saw the home team again falter and they were in trouble at 68 for 6.

With Parlane retiring hurt with a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Northland side was effectively 68 for 7.

Enter Martin, who showed his allround ability and experience. He and Cullen Lowe (20), added 35 valuable runs for the seventh wicket and he added a further 64, in conjunction with Caleb Boswell-Smith, for the eighth wicket.

This saw the Northland captain Ben Hyde declare, setting Hamilton 242 in approximately 35 overs.

Martin struck early in the second innings but a 51-run partnership for the second wicket in quick time, had the game evenly poised. Northland set attacking fields to try to entice Hamilton into playing aggressively and although runs were flowing, Northland were chipping wickets out.

At 147 for 3, and with 11 overs remaining, Martin and Hyde combined to take five wickets for 18 runs in six overs. This meant the Hamilton side needed to hold on for the remaining five overs, with two wickets remaining.

For 30 balls, the Hamilton batsmen battled hard and the game ended in a draw, with Northland getting first innings points.

Martin, claiming another five wickets, ended with match figures of 11 for 161, which was an outstanding achievement.

The Northland side’s next match is against BOP on November 24 and 25, in Tauranga.