It took something special to break that superb partnership — a brilliant spell of medium-pace from Taylor Kijowski (3-12 in three overs) to account for Norman, Taura and No.10 Aiden McGregor (0). Manawatu first-drop Connor Phillips made a quality 21.
The irrepressible Reynolds held four catches and gloveman-cum-seamer Kobe Donnelly (1-15 from three overs) effected two run-outs, the first of which was off a zippy return-throw from his skipper.
Donnelly the bowler got his right hand down to a well-struck drive, deflecting the ball on to the stumps with non-striker Luke Garrett (12), seventh man in, out of his ground.
Donnelly is an effective cricketer not to be underestimated. Also not to be underestimated is — alongside his skipper — a leg-spinning all-rounder of genuine ability in Conrad Parkes (1-22 from four overs).
He bowled Manawatu opener Flynn Treleaven (6) with the first ball of his spell and, opening the batting, hit an unbeaten 50 off 91 balls, including five boundaries.
Batting at Nos 3 and 4 respectively, Patrick McInnes and Raffaele Colucci both made 15 for the Bay, while Manawatu fast man Phillips, going full tilt, took 2-4 with one maiden, and opening bowler McGregor snared 2-8. They each sent down three tough overs to play.
Poverty Bay were 143-8 at game's end. Manawatu's MVP (most valuable player) award went to batting class act Taura. Taylor Kijowski was the Bay's MVP.
On Windsor Park 1 after lunch, Reynolds again won the toss, this time against Napier Old Boys Marist, and chose to bat. He followed Parkes's grand example and made an unbeaten half-century (53 off 81 balls, hitting six fours).
Parkes this time put up 26 not out off 20 balls and hit two fours in Poverty Bay's total of 153-5.
Where batsmen at this level develop the type of focus that had Parkes apply himself positively for 34 minutes, and Reynolds over 108, the enjoyable team-oriented approach pays off for all. The Bay's target score was 150: the batsmen who retired had an anchor role; those around them kept the rate up.
Four NOBM bowlers took wickets — none took two — but Isaac Bennett (1-18 from three overs) and Jack Tester (1-9 from two) had the satisfaction of hitting the stumps.
In the NOBM innings, Poverty Bay's new-ball pair of McInnes (1-3) and William Edginton (2-14) set a fine example of accuracy and consistency, and the seven medium-pacers who picked up the baton after their three-over opening spells kept the NOBM batsmen on a tight rein.
The fielding effort complemented that of the bowlers: NOBM No.5 Sam Green (1) fell to a great grab by Colucci at point. The chasing team were then 23-5, three balls into the 10th over.
Thomas Coleman made ground at mid-on to catch No.10 Baxter MacInnes second ball for a duck, off Bay MVP Donnelly (3-8 from two overs), to reduce the Napier side to 99-9 two balls into the 24th over.
The likes of Poverty Bay's McInnes, who held two catches and effected two run-outs in Game 2 against Naenae, Coleman and James Redpath, have made a contribution to their team in all aspects this week. They are players of the future.
NOBM were dismissed for 119 in 27.5 overs. Noah Kyle, who scored 48 off 51 balls with six boundaries, was their MVP. He and second-drop Bennett (19) were the only batsmen to reach double figures in the run-chase as the Bay snapped their winning streak at three games.
Bay coach Williams knows the importance of the role his bowling unit and fielders played yesterday.
“Taylor and Kobe both bowled outside off-stump, challenging batsmen to drive, and the fielding was excellent,” he said.
“We batted well as a unit —Conrad (Parkes) and Harvey (Reynolds) played an anchor role — the boys who batted around them kept us going at five runs an over to reach our target.
“They've been a great bunch of boys with great banter and team spirit, and we want to finish with a win tomorrow.”
Poverty Bay, Auckland University Club, NOBM, Horowhenua-Kapiti Red, Horowhenua-Kapiti Blue and East Coast Bays Warriors have all won three from four, while Auckland powerhouse Cornwall and Western Bay of Plenty have won all four matches played in the 20-team Year 7 White Grade.
Conversely, Wellington Collegians Black, WC Gold, North City and Naenae have one last chance to get a win today.
Poverty Bay drew Horowhenua-Kapiti Blue on Windsor Park 3 this morning.
