No 'favourites' tag for Pirates

CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP: Brad Reynolds will be a key man for Pirates tomorrow. Reynolds scored 23 runs and took 5-15 in a Walker Shield win against Horouta last night. Picture by Liam Clayton

PIRATES skipper Brad Reynolds laughed when told his High School Old Boys opposite Scott Tallott had claimed the underdogs tag heading into tomorrow’s Doleman Cup semifinal at Harry Barker Reserve.

“Mate, I always think we’re favourites, no matter who we’re playing, but the truth is there are no favourites tomorrow,” said Reynolds, whose side beat Bollywood Stars HSOB with a “weakened team” in round-robin play — hence Tallott’s “underdogs” claim.

“Our rivalry with HSOB is a healthy one. We respect each other and if we’re to win, we need an all-round performance with bat and ball.”

The Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates bowling attack is strengthened with the return of Northern Spirit player Tayla Hollis.

“We’re at full strength and looking forward to the game. Our aim is to win the treble and a win tomorrow would be a step in the right direction.”

Pirates have a strong batting and bowling line-up, with Tallott naming Dane Thompson as the key man.

“Without disrespecting anyone, Dane is the best all-rounder in the district, in my opinion. We need to restrict his impact with bat and ball.”

But Pirates are far from being a one-man team. The Needham brothers Tom and Richie, Scott Hollinshead and the Torrie boys Dab and James, are capable of taking the game away from any opposition. Dan, in particular, is having a great season clearing the boundary regularly and featuring with the ball.

HSOB are not without their match-winners, including Tallott, Ajay Kumar, David Salmon — all hard-hitting batsmen. In Jak Rowe they have a bowler who can rip through any batting line-up.

HSOB will not have opener Carl Shaw but they have a wealth of experience in Glen Udall, Ryan Majstrovic and Gagan Dhinga and youthful enthusiasm in Marshall Norris and Sasha Drain.

¦ Coastal Ultrasound Horouta captain Blake Taylor is under no illusions about the task facing his side when they take on Bain Construction OBR, who finished top of the 40-overs competition unbeaten.

“We have to play out of our skins to have any chance of beating them,” said Taylor.

“But we showed last week we can score runs against a good team (HSOB) but we fell away towards the end of our innings.

“We need to bat through our 40 overs and even then that might not be good enough.

“OBR have been one of the most consistent teams for as long as I can remember.”

OBR club captain Ian Loffler said apart from George Purcell and Korban Harrison-Allan, they would have a full squad available.

“Cookie (Matt Cook) is in form, running with vigour, and has added an extra yard of pace,” Loffler said.

“He is showing good rhythm and his couple of six-wicket bags are good reward. He has a train-hard, play-hard motto.

“With some of us getting older, Korban has added youth and is a talented all-rounder.

“He has fitted in well into our culture on and off the pitch.

“Timoti (Weir) has been a real asset to our team over the years. He always gives 100 percent. He’s a capable all-rounder and will be important with the bat and ball for us tomorrow.

“Horouta have a strong team and we’ll look to get early wickets to put pressure on. It’s a semi final, no second chances.”