“We need everyone to do their jobs as individuals and if we do that it’s a game we can win.”
HSOB hopes received a huge boost with the news that last week’s match-winner Sam Singh (101 not) and Gary Singh are both travelling back from Tauranga to play.
“Rowan Smith (former Poverty Bay age-group batsman) is back from Auckland but we won’t have Jeremy Tucker, who is out of town.”
Smith is likely to open the batting.
“I haven’t decided on our batting order just yet but we all know how good Rowan is. He could open or come in at three.”
Ryan Majstrovic, Mike Francis and Ajay Kumar would spearhead the attack, Phelps said.
“Ryan and Mike are direct, whereas Ajay’s more of a crafty medium-pacer who has been bowling well.
“Ajay’s also been in good batting form.”
Defending champions Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates will cement their place in the semi with a win . . . but a loss could see them miss out.
If Pirates were to lose to GBHS in the final round-robin game, Pirates and HSOB would finish on 12 points.
Two-way tie on the cardsThat would result in a two-way tie for fourth, and HSOB would go through as winners of tomorrow’s game.
Landmark Homes Bains Construction OBR and Horouta, who meet tomorrow, are on 12 points with two games to play, including tomorrow’s encounter.
No matter what the outcome tomorrow, OBR and Horouta should pick up four points next week — when OBM play Campion and Horouta take on GBHS (2).
GBHS (1), on eight points and GBHS (2), yet to win, have deferred tomorrow’s match. When they do play, the first 11 should pick up four points and a win against Pirates next week would put the school side into the playoffs.
Pirates are missing skipper Mitchell Turner, leading Poverty Bay against Waikato in a two-day game, and Dan Torrie (supporting the Blacks Caps against Australia in Adelaide).
“I still feel we have a line-up who can bowl HSOB out,” Turner said.
“Richie Needham is in good nick, and we have Brad Reynolds, who will stand in as skipper, and Chewy (Aku Smith).”
¦ OBR club captain Ian Loffler is wary of a Horouta side he said were “the team to beat after strong performances this year”.
“We’ll be under-strength, with a few players away, although Timoti Weir and Matt Henwood come back into the side,” Loffler said.
“Zane Boyle, Jimmy Holden and Cookie (Matt Cook) bowled well last week.
“A goal this weekend will be to keep down the extras.
“Our batters were more consistent last Saturday but with the pitches more bowler-friendly, we need more batting time in the middle.
“We have to set up the last 10 overs with wickets in hand.”
Horouta club captain Greg Taylor said his side “just want to keep the momentum going”, building on last weekend’s double-header.
“Bryan Forde comes back as captain and Bryan is a key player for us, as a batsman and keeper,” Taylor said.
“Quentin Mill will play his first game for the season. He’s, a handy all-rounder who will give us middle-order batting depth.”
Kieran Blair is also coming back after missing last week and he gives Horouta another bowling option when their openers Blake Taylor and Marty Brandso have completed their overs.
“Clarence Campbell, who missed both games last weekend, is scoring for Poverty Bay so we won’t have Clarrie tomorrow.”
