Second-change bowler Dan Watts (2-24), left-armer Travis O’Rourke (1-13) and skipper Nathan Trowell (1-18) reduced the hosts to 78-4 in 16.1 overs before the Bay’s three leg-spinners took centre stage.
In the best traditions of Poverty Bay’s three leggies of 2006 — Northern Districts age-group representatives Braydon Harwood, Jonathan Purcell and Gerhard Oosthuizen — Liam Barbier (3-37 off 10 overs), Dylan Foster (1-31 off 10) and DJ Penfold (1-24 off six) kept the screws on.
Northland were 153-9 in 40.2 overs when Foster claimed the last scalp for the spinners.
Opening bowler Cohen Loffler (1-30) took the last wicket for Poverty Bay with the fourth ball of the 44th over.
Bowling their opposition out for 179 was significant in that it showed the Bay’s skill with the ball and in the field.
Poverty Bay — who have yet to make 100 as a team at the tourney — were 99-8 at the end of 50 overs.
No.9 Dylan Foster top-scored with 16 off 52 balls — a testament to his grit. No.8 Barbier was even more obdurate in defence, with 15 from 91 balls.
Captain and opener Trowell, and Watts at No.5 scored 11 runs apiece.
The Bay were 47-7 in 28.1 overs, before the 37-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Barbier and Foster.
“Liam bowled the best I’ve seen from him, with different variations,” Trowell said.
“To put up a real challenge to Northland was superb. Our boys did — with the ball and in the field — just not the bat.”
Poverty Bay today were to play off for third and fourth position in the plate section — seventh and eighth overall — against the ND Invitation team.
