Kerikeri play get out of jail card
WRMK Kerikeri 160/ 5 (31) DRAW with Onerahi 253/ 8 (declared after 46 overs): Kerikeri player manager Rob Drummond said the home side considered itself fortunate about this result from round 3/8 of the Northland Declaration Cricket competition after both sides ended up sharing the points in a rain-affected match at Kerikeri High School on Saturday afternoon.
“We were in a lot of trouble at one stage,” Drummond said. He said the side managed to dig its way out in the end thanks to the last partnership holding on for dear life.
“Played our get out of jail card,” said Drummond, an accurate enough comment following analysis of the scorebook, albeit a tad ironic in coming from a policeman.
Kerikeri won the toss and decided to field first and had Onerahi at 53/3 early on before the visiting team got stuck in to the Keri bowlers. Onerahi eventually declared on 253/8 (after 46 overs) which — courtesy of the Declaration competition’s format — left Kerikeri needing to score 254 off 44 overs.
The hosts were 50/5 after only 12 overs with Drummond and Ash Deep at the crease. The pair managed to stave off the Onerahi bowlers and hold on to be at 160/5 after 31 overs. At this point it was 6.30pm - with Kerikeri still needing 94 runs from 13 overs - when both sides agreed to take a draw.
Drummond described it as a long day at the office and the visitors, who currently lead the standings, were understandably frustrated with the outcome.
“We didn’t have much. We were batting for the draw.”
Deep was Keri’s standout, scoring 85 not out, and also claiming a hat-trick of wickets in the first innings with 3/32 (9), while Drummond finished 25 not out. Drummond did note Deep was starting to come into his own in the final innings, “Started smacking it all over the place,” and, if the match had gone the distance, the remaining 13 overs could have proved very interesting.
Also notable was bowler Sagar Harhare with figures of 2/53 (9).
The overcast conditions CONTINUED PAGE 23