Bay’s trophy chance depends on others

CAPTAIN’S KNOCK: Nic Hendrie scored an unbeaten ton for Poverty Bay yesterday, leading the team to an emphatic victory over Waikato Valley’s second 11. File picture by Liam Clayton

Unbeaten Poverty Bay could win the Basil McBurney Trophy tomorrow if they win their 50-over cricket match against Waikato Valley’s second 11 in Hamilton.

But they would need the weather to be OK and Bay of Plenty’s second 11 to trip up against Counties-Manukau’s second 11, who are at the bottom of the table.

The BoP association posted on their website that they have “one hand on the Basil McBurney Trophy”.

They would need to have a bad day to lose their grip.

BoP have the most points in the Northern Districts second-tier competition but could be caught.

Bollywood Stars Poverty Bay, in second place, won a tight match against BoP in November and if the two teams are tied on points after tomorrow’s matches, Poverty Bay will take the title.

Poverty Bay will go in as favourites against Waikato Valley. But BoP are also firm favourites against Counties Manukau.

Poverty Bay’s game is at St Paul’s Collegiate.

The school’s cricket pitch — Way’s Oval — was named club/school pitch of the year by New Zealand Cricket in April last year, so the teams can expect a good surface.

The MetService forecast for tomorrow in both Hamilton and Mount Maunganui — where BoP are scheduled to play Counties-Manukau — is for mainly fine weather, with a chance of afternoon showers.

Poverty Bay will be captained by Nic Hendrie, who is operations manager for the association.

OBR seamer Jimmy Holden returns to the side.

Pip Thickpenny and Mike Rowland, who play their club cricket for Greerton in Bay of Plenty alongside Hendrie, have also been named.

Greerton won the Northern Districts club championship last month and will compete in the national champs in Auckland in early April.

Poverty Bay: Nic Hendrie (c), Josiah Turner, Graham Hudson, Bruce Kerr, Matt Crampton, Andrew Gibbs, Jake Rowe, Cameron Ingram, Jimmy Holden, Mike Rowland, Pip Thickpenny, Parminder Kulaar.