Gutsy effort in loss to Wellington side

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

CRICKET by Ben O’Brien-Leaf

A low-scoring game plus total team-effort equals juicy cricket-fare to sink your teeth into.

That’s what yesterday’s 50-over clash between the Poverty Bay boys’ Year 8 team and Onslow produced in superb conditions at Frimley Park, with Onslow beating Poverty Bay by 22 runs.

The Wellingtonians were bowled out for 149 in 42.1 overs. In response, the Bay reached 127 all-out in 40.4 overs.

Bay captain and wicket-keeper Angus Baker won the toss and chose to bowl first.

Onslow captain and first-drop James Wilkinson’s 47 runs off 62 balls was the highest individual score in the match.

Seamer Sam Briant (4-23-8) took his wicket with the last ball of the 27th over.

Briant’s fellow paceman Sebastian Wilson (2-11-6.1 overs), off-spinner George Gillies (2-13-4) and leg-spinner Dylan Foster (1-39-8) were the Bay’s other wicket-takers.

The first innings was full of close-run things (Briant pressing for a five wicket-bag, Gillies’s near hat-trick in the 38th over), with Baker at the centre of the fielding effort. He has taken three catches in four matches, combined with Gillies to effect a run-out in the tournament opener v Havelock North, and driven the team excellently from behind the stumps.

Yesterday Baker’s 19 from 28 at No.3 and Wilson’s 25 off 59 balls at No.8 were Poverty Bay’s two principal scores, with Hamish Swann Poverty Bay’s man-of-the-match for a skilful, gutsy 13 off 45 balls at No.11. He was not-out.

Onslow quickies Conner Haywood (3-13-4), Harrison Faulkner (2-5-4) and Jack Bates (2-9-4) were the opposition’s best with the ball.

“I was really impressed with the Poverty Bay boys’ attitude — we had to play extremely well to beat them,” said Onslow coach Glen Wilkinson.

“Individual brilliance by Conner swung it for us, because their last partnership was worth 46 runs.

“Their spin bowlers turned the ball. They’re a good side.”