A loss Bay boys can build on

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CRICKET

THEY can build on that.

Poverty Bay cricket team’s four wicket-loss to Porirua at the Hawke’s Bay Year 8 Rivervend tournament could be a launching pad.

Porirua, their opposition in the 35-over B section match at Marewa Park yesterday, were a quality side.

“We lost the toss, batted first and made 151 all out in exactly 35 overs,” said Bay coach Nan Baker.

“Dylan Foster batted very well (24 off 23 balls), held a catch and as a leg-spinner also bowled no wides or no-balls.”

Foster took 1 for 16 off four overs — one of those a maiden — and was the only bowler not to bowl extras in a player-of-the-game performance.

Hamish Swann, at No.2, and Rhys Grogan, at 7, each made 16 runs for the Bay.

Porirua replied with 152-6 in 31.5 overs, but not before Poverty Bay opening bowler Sebastian Wilson (1-14 off 4), the lively Peter Reynolds (1-12 off 3), deceptive left-armer Lukas Fry (1-11 off 2), medium-pacer Sam Briant (1-19 off 3.5 overs) and Foster each claimed a scalp.

Bay captain and wicket-keeper Angus Baker said: “We needed to be more aggressive with the bat in the first 20 overs to relieve the pressure on our lower order,” said Bay captain and wicketkeeper Angus Baker. “But we gelled in the field and worked hard.”

Poverty Bay faced Havelock North and Wanganui in 30-over games at Park Island in Napier today.