Rain seeps through covers, stops play

Wanganui batsmen stage comeback after poor bowling but weather has final say at Masterton Furlong Cup

Riverview Wanganui had to drive out of Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton at lunchtime on Sunday, disappointed the Furlong Cup game they targeted was abandoned.

Heavy overnight rain, which had leaked through the covers onto the pitch meant no further play was possible, as Wanganui had been set to resume on 38-2, chasing Wairarapa’s 343 from just fewer than 88 overs on Saturday.

Again, Wanganui skipper Chris Sharrock won the toss and this time he opted to bowl, given the home side

has struggled with the willow in previous games.

However, they would earn their first batting bonus points of the season. Despite Wanganui reducing them to 29-2, the recovery effort was started by Jared Van Deventer (54) and Andy Dodd (35).

From there,

Jaco

Vorster (110) scored an attacking but not chanceless century, hitting 11 boundaries and four sixes in his 128-ball knock. Vorster got support from Gordon Reisima (28) and Gus Borren (46), and, while Wanganui bowler John Beale (3-39) eventually got through to the century-maker’s stumps, the damage was done at 323-9. “We bowled pretty poorly,” says coach Warren Marr. “Some naive bowling and not sticking to the plan.” In addition, there were six catches put down, three of them off Vorster.

“It’s disappointing to drop catches, and guys that usually take them. There were nicks,” says Warren. Connor O’Leary was again the workhorse bowler with 3-82 from his 22.3 overs, while as expected the returning Ben Smith sent down some offspin and finished with 2-30.

Wanganui had great concern when opening batsman Chris Stewart suffered a dislocated shoulder going for a big drive, requiring an ambulance to be called.

Warren says the veteran has a good prognosis for recovery.

With nine overs left in the day, the coach then offered Ben Smith, the leading batting hope, the chance to stay in the shed while Wanganui used a night watchman, but Ben was happy to pad up.

“I can’t say enough good stuff about Ben,” says Warren.

Unfortunately, Fraser Kinnerley was still required for night watchman duty when Hadleigh O’Leary was dismissed with five overs remaining, joining Will Hocquard and the injured Chris Stewart.

Ben Smith and Fraser Kinnerley saw their side through the rest of play, but the heavy rain and covers which had holes and taped-up sections failing to keep the water out meant Wanganui will never know if their Stags batsman could have carried them to 344 the following day.

Follow results and draws for the Furlong Cup at https:/ /www.crichq.com/competitions/2375/draws/ 53403/rounds

Scoreboard Wairarapa 1st Innings

J Jonas ct F Kinnerley b C O’Leary 10

R Anderson b J Beale 10 J Van Deventer lbw b H O’Leary 54 A Dodd ct C Sharrock b C O’Leary 35

J Vorster b J Beale 110 J Forrester ct B Smith b J Beale 7

G Reisima ct M Fraser b B Smith 28

P Gluck ct C Sharrock b F Kinnerley 5

G Borren b B Smith 46 S Hook c&b C O’Leary

13

P Sigvertsen not out 9 Extras: 16

Total: 343 (87.3 overs) Bowling: C O’Leary 22.3 overs, 2 maidens, 82 runs, 3 wicket; J Beale 14-3-39-3;

F Kinnerley 20-3-85-1; S O’Leary 10-3-38-0; H O’Leary 14-2-57-1

B Smith 7-0-30-2. Wanganui 1st Innings

W Hocquard lbw b S Wakelin 1

C Stewart retired hurt 12 H O’Leary lbw b P Sigvertsen 14

B Smith not out 7 F Kinnerley not out 2 Extras: 2

Total: 38-2 (21overs) Bowling: S Hook 6-2-10-0; S Wakelin 4-2-10-1; J Jonas 6-2-7-0; P Sigvertsen 5-2-9-1. Result: Match drawn (weather abandonment).

Property Brokers United 1st XI have booked their place in the Rep Weekend Pro40 final with one round still remaining after victory at Tasman Tanning (Victoria) Park on Saturday.

United picked up a 25-run win over Tech Old boys, despite looking vulnerable when they were bowled out for 134, as Tech’s Deek Reuters took five wickets.

However, spinner Robbie Power picked up a 4-for, as Tech were bowled out with nine overs remaining for 109.

Results, December 11

Rep Weekend Pro 40, Round 4

Pool 1

Matt Burke Engineering Marton Saracens bt Whanganui Collegiate Senior Black by default.

Wanganui Vet Services vs Treadwell Gordon United 2nd XI

Bye: Wicket Warriors Whanganui

Pool 2

Property Brokers United 1st XI 134 (A Penn 40, C McKerras 37, M Pennefather 22; D Reuters 5-30, A Tipper 3-18) bt Tech Old Boys 109 (C Greene 29, S Roebuck 28; R Power 4-36, J Pennefather 3-15) by 25 runs.

Wanganui United 3rds bt Whanganui Collegiate Senior Blue by default

Bye: Wanganui Renegades

Follow results and draws for the Rep Weekend Pro40 at https://www.crichq.com/ competitions/14359/draws/ current