A highlight of last year's Riverbend tournament was the hat-tricks taken by Western Bay's Tayte Marsh, left, and Josh Lawrey from Cambridge. Photo / File
A highlight of last year's Riverbend tournament was the hat-tricks taken by Western Bay's Tayte Marsh, left, and Josh Lawrey from Cambridge. Photo / File
Fourteen Western Bay of Plenty teams will make the journey to Hawke's Bay this month to compete in the Riverbend age-group cricket tournament.
"Riverbend is the biggest junior cricket tournament in the North Island, with many of our youngsters experiencing playing outside the confines of the Western Bay of Plentyfor the first time," WBOPCA administrator Don Warner said.
The annual Riverbend junior cricket tournaments dates back to 1979 and is organised by the Hawke's Bay Cricket Association.
The tournament has been a successful breeding ground for a number of first class and New Zealand cricketers with Ross Taylor, Jamie How, Jeetan Patel, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Mike Mason, Ben Stokes (England), Scott Styris, Kane Williamson, Doug Bracewell and Trent Boult playing in past years.
"The reason that Western Bay of Plenty Cricket sends so many teams to Riverbend can be summed up in three words — development, encouragement and opportunity. The intention is for all our young players to return home having developed their game in a competitive arena in Hawke's Bay," Warner said.
"Our youngsters are encouraged to play to win but also handle defeat in a sportsman-like manner, with all the Western Bay players having the opportunity to bat and bowl at both the top and bottom of their team's innings throughout their time at the Riverbend tournament."
Riverbend Age Group Cricket Tournament January 5-7th Year 4/5 — Western Bay of Plenty x 2 7-10th Year 8 Development — Western Bay of Plenty x 3 7-10th Year 11/13 — Western Bay of Plenty x 1 10 — 13th Year 7A — Western Bay of Plenty x 2 14 — 17th Year 9/10 — Western Bay of Plenty x 2 14 — 17th Year 7B — Western Bay of Plenty x 1 17 — 20th Year 6A — Western Bay of Plenty x 2 21 — 24th Year 6B — Western Bay of Plenty x 1
