No excuses as Poverty Bay batting folds

File picture

Playing three games of cricket in three days could have been used as an excuse for Bollywood Stars Poverty Bay’s 78-run loss to Hawke’s Bay in a 45-over Kirk Cup match at Harry Barker Reserve yesterday.

Walker Shield T15 Blast games on Friday night were followed by Doleman Cup 40-over games on Saturday. But Bay skipper Nick Hendrie was not interested in excuses.

“Their attack was too good for our batsmen,” Hendrie said.

Poverty Bay dismissed the visitors for 136 off 37 overs. In reply, Hawke’s Bay rolled the home side for 58 in 28.1 overs.

“It was a game of one half for us, Hendrie said.

“The bowlers did their job after Hawke’s Bay came out firing and put on 60 runs off six overs.

“But all our bowlers stuck to their guns and were backed up by good fielding to dismiss them for 136, which I think shocked them.

At one stage, they looked to be heading towards a score of around 300.

“I was proud of the way we fought back. Craig Christophers came on and bowled eight overs on the trot for very few runs. Matt Crampton (2-16) and Paul Stewart (2-14) also chipped in.

“Paul (seamer) is young but he’s learning and improving with every game. Matty (Crampton, spinner) did a good job.

“All we needed was for one of our batters — me included — to post a big score, and that didn’t happen. I’m very disappointed with my performance (Hendrie top-scored with 20). I got out chasing a wide ball.”

Poverty Bay lost opener Scott Tallott with the score at four and from then on wickets fell at regular intervals.

“Their bowlers were relentless; they just didn’t give us anything,” Hendrie said. “They bowled at a good pace, and they also had a good spinner (Jayden Lennox, 5-8 off eight overs). If we can learn anything from today it’s that we need to play spin better.”

Right-arm seamer Liam Rukuwai claimed his 100th scalp for the Hawke’s Bay senior team as he took 2-9.

“We’re disappointed to lose but there’s still a good vibe among the team,” Hendrie said.

Hawke’s bay 136 (Bayley Wiggins 32; P Stewart 2-14, M Crampton 2-4) def Poverty Bay 58 (Nick Hendrie 20; Jayden Lennox 5-8, Liam Rukuwai 2-9) by 78 runs.