Big challenge first up for Horouta

HUDSON FOR HOROUTA: Graham Hudson, an influential all-rounder for OBR last season, is set to take the field for Horouta tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

CRICKET

HOROUTA have returned to the Poverty Bay Cricket Association’s A Grade and their first challenge is to take on Doleman Cup champions OBR tomorrow.

Horouta captain David Situ said the team had put in a lot of pre-season training and were eager to make an impression.

“We’ve always been the underdogs but we want to prove everyone wrong this season,” Situ said.

“All the boys are excited.”

Horouta, solid performers in the second-tier Hope Cup last season, last appeared in the Doleman Cup 40-over competition in 2017.

They’re not expected to match the depth of talent of their rivals — Landmark Homes OBR and Bollywood Stars High School Old Boys — but South African import Graham Hudson will boost their firepower with bat and ball.

Hudson produced a man-of-the-match performance for OBR when they won the Doleman Cup final against HSOB last year, taking three wickets for 14 runs off seven overs and scoring 45 not out.

Hudson will need a supporting cast at Horouta, though. Seamer Tushar Balat is expected to be among their better bowlers and Keegan Martin could be a reliable performer with the bat.

Joanne van der Veen, also from South Africa, keeps wicket and is on the comeback trail after a long injury layoff. Her first outing for Horouta will likely be in the longer-form DJ Barry Cup games next year.

Situ said he would take the keeping gloves in the meantime.

OBR also have new players in their ranks.

Cody Andrews is back in Gisborne playing for OBR

Former first-class cricketer Cody Andrews has returned to Gisborne and will again play for OBR.

The seam bowler played matches for Auckland and Northern Districts in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.

OBR club captain Ian Loffler said youngsters Paul Stewart, Jack Faulkner and Travis Mitchell had joined the club.

They all batted in the top order for Gisborne Boys’ High School last season and it will be interesting to see what roles they will have for OBR.

Stewart, Boys’ High captain last season, is also a handy seam bowler and Faulkner can bowl spin.

Boys’ High opted to field a young team in the Hope Cup this season, rather than battle in the top men’s grade with their first 11.

Most of last season’s first 11 are Year 13 students who are due to leave school at the end of this year and it would have been a huge ask to expect their replacements to be competitive in the DJ Barry Cup next year.

Older students at the school have been released to play for clubs.

Loffler said OBR were keen to get their season started.

He expected Horouta to put up a good fight.

“Horouta have always played with a lot of pride for their club and, with their new recruits, they will be tough this season.”

Horouta have a team in the top grade and a second 11 in the Hope Cup.

Club captain Billy Morse said a couple of players from their top team would be away tomorrow, so players from the second 11 would fill in.

He said the team in the A grade would have a fair bit of experience.

“Everyone’s raring to go.”