Horouta start season healthy

Coastal Ultrasound Horouta: Greg Taylor (club captain), David Situ, Mel Knight (vice-captain), Billy Morse, Chris Ng, Vaughan Thompson, and Phoebe Taylor. Absent are Keegan Martin, Blake Taylor (captain) and Clarence Campbell (vice-captain).

GREG Taylor says Horouta Cricket Club has had a busy off-season.

“Chris Ng of Coastal Ultrasound has come on board as our sponsor, and winter fundraising has the club in a healthy state,” said Taylor, whose son Blake will captain the side. Mel Knight and Clarence Campbell will be vice-captains.

“When one is away the others will step up,” Greg Taylor said.

Bryan Forde returns to the side in a wicketkeeper/batsman role, while former Bollywood players Keegan Martin and Amit Vyas return to their original team.

“We’ve also picked up Tushar Balat from Bollywood, and David Situ from Pirates,” Greg Taylor said. “Add in experienced players Billy Morse, Duncan Gibson and Vaughan Thompson, and the squad is taking shape.”

Phoebe Taylor and Knight will be hoping for good performances as they bid to add to their Northern Districts caps. Back again after their first season with the club are Edwin Sandys, Chad Collins, Pratik Jethwa and Vishal Amin.

“Several stalwarts will be available as needed throughout the season — people like Quentin Mill, Jason Brooks, Bo Huhu, Teretu Te Moananui and Jason Trowill. That’s an awesome resource available, to have such experience to fall back on.”

Greg Taylor said Horouta had been playing in the indoor cricket competition over the past month, and had a great turnout of players in the recent Past-versus-Present 25-over match.

“With only six teams this year, it’s important to get off to a strong start,” he said. “We’re looking forward to playing OBR and HSOB. We will field our strongest line-up available as we take on two of the traditional favourites.”

Draw for tomorrow: Walker Shield T20, Harry Barker Reserve, 1pm: H1, Bain Construction OBR v Coastal Ultrasound Horouta; H3, Campion College v GBHS 1; H4, Bollywood HSOB v Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates.

3pm: H3, HSOB v Horouta; H1, Campion v OBR; H4, GBHS 1 v Pirates.