Poverty Bay age group sports teams are noted for their ability to bounce back from a loss or tough week away.
The Grant Walsh-coached, Jack Roberts-led Year 6s who played their last game at the Riverbend/Hawke's Bay cricket camp yesterday are made of stern stuff.
That they lost six matches away is to them water off a duck's back.
Auckland University Club Black, who had gone down only once heading into Day 4, won the toss in yesterday's clash with Poverty Bay at Frimley Park and skipper Tom McCullum chose to bat in excellent conditions.
Auckland posted 157-7 in a game reduced from 30 overs to 25.
Poverty Bay spearhead Reuben Walsh bowled Jake McCullum two balls in to give the underdogs a dream start to the match and went on to take 2-15 off three overs.
However, Benedict Wimsett (31), wicketkeeper Arthur Vivian (32), Hamish Turnbull (21), and Charlie Simons (30) all scored at better than a run a ball in retired knocks.
The Bay enjoyed a number of other highlights.
Quin Fussell knocked over Tom Squires for a two-ball duck in his 1-10 off two overs; Walsh ran out Charley Arnold; and Nathan Putter (1-20 off four) and Cody McMurray (1-14 off three) joined Fussell as Poverty Bay bowlers to have disturbed the furniture; McMurray ran out No.9 Reuben Elley for a duck; Putter at point held a great catch going to his left off Walsh to dismiss the dangerous Noah Love (5).
Bay No.3 Hunter Irwin got their highest individual score of 17 from 44 balls in 63 minutes, great reward for his heart and determination.
Second-drop Putter (13) crafted two boundaries, as did Cole Hogarth, in at six, who made his high score of 11 off 23 balls in 24 minutes.
Poverty Bay were 88-5 at the end and Auckland won by 69 runs.
Two Bay batsmen were run out, two bowled and one caught.
But from games 1 to 6 they had doubled their team total from 44 to 88, and put up 97-7 in Round 3 against Havelock North.
Coach Walsh said the boys improved all of their skills and also gained massive cricket smarts in how the game should and can be played.
“Assistant coach David Milne and I were immensely proud of every player during the game with Auckland.
“A number of players had niggling injuries. We bowled and fielded our hearts out against a very strong top-order batting line-up.
“Our boys' heart and determination then showed as we took six wickets in seven overs, a mammoth effort and achievement for the Poverty Bay side. The batting in the last game also showed grit.
“After the match, Auckland coach and ex-Black Cap Nathan McCullum spent time with our team explaining his ethos for the game.”
Walsh's gratitude to the Poverty Bay Cricket Association is a sentiment he shares with fellow coaches Jeremy Castles (Year 8) and Daniel Williams (Year 7).
“Everyone is looking forward to next year's camp already, to getting a win and building on this experience.”