OBR improving but need more runs

FINDING FORM: Horouta captain David Situ picked up some confidence by spending time at the crease for Poverty Bay against the Hamilton second 11 last Sunday. Picture by Liam Clayton

The OBR premier cricket side are finding their groove on the park but captain Jonathan Purcell is conscious they need to put more runs on the board.

“I would back our fielding and bowling over any other team,” he said.

“We still need to score more runs, by applying ourselves when we go out to bat.”

Landmark Homes OBR play Horouta in Poverty Bay premier club cricket at Harry Barker Reserve tomorrow.

Horouta produced a solid performance in the first meeting between the sides this season, banking a nine-run win in the opening Doleman Cup 40-over fixture.

Horouta fought well in that game and, though they were bowled out in 35 overs, their total of 176 looked a good effort.

In their run chase, OBR left too much for their tail to do and the side came up just short.

Horouta captain David Situ said that, with all three teams in the Doleman Cup having at least one win so far, the competition was tight.

“We will look to do what we did the first time we faced OBR,” he said.

High School Old Boys have the bye this week.

Situ, who opened the batting for Poverty Bay on Sunday, picked up some confidence from spending time at the crease. He scored 16 against the Hamilton second 11, but his main contribution was getting the team off to a safe start and holding up an end while the side were in difficulty.

Horouta are coming off a week’s break but Situ didn’t think that would have much effect.

Both sides have had losses against HSOB.

Horouta scored 144 for eight in their match against HSOB two weeks ago. HSOB got there with 11 overs to spare but they also lost six wickets.

HSOB bowled out OBR for 92 last Saturday and had little trouble reaching the target.

Purcell said his side were building and working on getting it right with the bat.