Bowlers have a field day as wickets tumble

SWING AND MISS: OBR batsman Josh Adams loses his poles to a ball bowled by Billy Morse, of Horouta, at Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday. OBR took first-innings points in the game. Picture by Paul Rickard

It was a day for the bowlers when Horouta took on OBR in their DJ Barry Cup club cricket match at the weekend.

Twenty-five wickets fell in the space of 67 overs at Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday and OBR claimed first-innings points, even though they were bowled out for under 100, because they rolled Horouta for even less.

Landmark Homes OBR made 97 in their first innings, with Tushar Balat and Billy Morse each taking three wickets and Graham Hudson, two.

Horouta replied with 66 and quick bowler Cody Andrews was the chief destroyer for OBR, taking four wickets.

Opening bowler Jimmy Holden took three wickets and left-armer Timoti Weir, two.

In their second turn at bat, OBR made 50 for five declared, when the umpires called a halt to the game at 7pm.

The two teams were at least seven overs short of what they should have got through collectively during the day, prompting the Poverty Bay Cricket Association to issue a reminder about over rates.

They're supposed to get through 15 overs an hour and they risk having competition points docked if they're too slow again.

One reason for the slow over rate would have been the 25 dismissals — a wicket fell every 2.4 overs.

The pitch offered some movement for the seamers of both sides and the pace of Andrews had Horouta in strife.

Four of their best batsmen managed just four runs between them.

A few batsmen, however, got starts.

OBR opener Paul Stewart made 27 and No.6 Andrews, 25, but captain Jonathan Purcell at No.7, with 11, was the only other batsman to make it into double figures in OBR's first innings.

Horouta opener Hemi Mitchell top-scored for them with 17.

Jack Faulkner, batting at No.4 for OBR, survived a confident shout for caught behind on his way to 28 not out in their second innings.

The game started late — ground the umpires tried to make up by slicing 10 minutes off the tea break — and it petered out in the evening as OBR, too far away from 100 to threaten a batting bonus point, didn't seem to have much to bat for.

OBR claimed nine competition points from the game and Horouta, seven.

High School Old Boys have had the best start to the competition but had a bye at the weekend.

Horouta have had two games and OBR and High School Old Boys have had one each.

A washed-out fixture between HSOB and OBR has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 23.