Bad boys show their ticker

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

They showed ticker yesterday.

The Poverty Bay Year 7 boys led by Caleb Taewa had a seven-wicket loss to Johnsonville in their opening B Grade game at the Riverbend cricket camp, but Bay coach Jimmy Holden knows what needs doing.

“We created chances but then put catches down — we'll work on that,” said Holden. “Bowling-wise, we went well, although we struggled to break through their big second- and third-wicket partnerships (of 40 and 35 runs respectively). There's always rust in the first game; now we're looking to improve.”

On a warm day at Frimley Park, Johnsonville captain Yashas Girish won the toss and opted to bowl on the No.1 grass wicket. Poverty Bay were all out in 27 overs of a possible 30. Teams at this level bat all 12 players — the Bay reached 96 for the loss of 11 wickets.

Second-drop Jonah Reynolds, his team's MVP (most valuable player), hit two fours in a knock of 24 off 48 balls in 70 minutes — an innings of patience and application.

Off-spinner Xavier Falconer (2-5 from two overs) and seamer Pakawa Moldon (2-15 from three) were the pick of Johnsonville's attack.

The Bay's Cameron Walters (1-7 from two overs), leader of the Bay's pace attack, gave his team the best possible start, with the wicket of Johnsonville No.2 Joshua Stephen three balls into the innings (5-1).

The Wellingtonians' first-drop, Blake Taylor, played a match-winning hand — 37 off 60 balls, with four boundaries, in 71 minutes — before he was bowled by Gayesha Mahabalage (1-9 from two overs) off the first ball of the 19th over.

Manjot Singh (1-5 from two overs) had earlier had Stephen's opening partner Max Charles (11) out, hit wicket, to end the 11th over.

The Bay's Oliver Mackintosh (1-1 from 1.2 overs) took the only other wicket to fall, that of No.5 Conor Rook (2) one ball into the 22nd over, to reduce Johnsonville to 90-4. They made 97 in 23.2 overs.

Johnsonville coach Geoff Charles was impressed by Reynolds, with the bat, and the Bay overall.

“Jonah looked the goods and has excellent technique,” Charles said.

“Poverty Bay showed stickability yesterday and if they take their catches, they'll win games.”

This morning the Bay were to play Hutt Districts Blue and this afternoon, on the same Marewa Park No.1 artificial pitch, they were to face Karori Black in their third game of the four-day tournament.