Off the holiday couch . . . back into runs and wickets

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

It’s time to put down the remote and play some cricket.

After five weeks on the couch — so to speak — Poverty Bay senior club cricket resumes tonight and tomorrow at Harry Barker Reserve.

Tonight’s round 6 of the Walker Shield T15 Blast pits a Smash Palace Bail-breakers crew led by Nick Hendrie (in the absence of Jak Rowe) against Eastland Broncos under Craig Christophers on ground 1, while on ground 2, Glen Udall’s Bollywood Stars take on Auto Tyre Eagles, who now have Matt Crampton at the helm.

Tomorrow from 1pm, the DJ Barry Cup starts with Bollywood Stars High School Old Boys’ versus Bain Construction Old Boys’ Rugby on No.2.

Gisborne Boys’ High School have defaulted to Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates due to player availability issues.

In Hope Cup Senior B games at 2pm tomorrow, Campion face OBR 2 and HSOB Presidents take on Stirling Logging Ngatapa Green Caps.

The Bail-breakers will be without their constabulary for tonight’s T15 games, which start at 5pm. Rowe is on holiday while David Salmon has work commitments):

Salmon’s absence will be more keenly felt when the Bail-breakers bat but left-arm opening bowler Rowe is a genuine striker.

Talented left-hander Hendrie and his crew will not have forgotten their one-run loss to the Broncos in round 3.

To that end, they have added Northern Districts men’s under-19 captain Thorn Parkes to their ranks.

Fresh from scoring 379 runs at an average of 75 at the national u19 tournament, Parkes will also turn out for HSOB tomorrow.

The Bail-breakers lead the T15 Blast with 12 points having won three of their five games. The Stars and Broncos have eight points, the Eagles four.

The Broncos have a settled look, with veterans Christophers and Deevon Gray giving the batting stability and three powerful all-rounders in Robbie Tallott, Graham Hudson and Keegan Martin.

Arun Kurup, Amit Vyas, Ben Bristow and Jason Drain are not to be underestimated while Sam Patterson is a much-improved seam bowler who gives little away.

Te-Reimana Gray — who will make his Super 8 debut for GBHS later this month, and Campion College’s Blake Marshall complete the line-up. Both are outstanding prospects.

Crampton will look to lead by example after replacing fellow Poverty Bay senior representative Carl Shaw — who has withdrawn from cricket due to work commitments — at the helm of the Eagles.

He will need to.

Under the experienced Udall, the Stars are a top drawer side.

Wicketkeeper/batsman Bruce Kerr has shown his ability to find the boundary and score quickly, while Scott Tallott, Dane Thompson, Drew Scott and Franco Calucci can all give the ball a fearful hammer.

Thompson, Reynolds and Stewart make for a solid frontline bowling attack.

Meanwhile, former Boys’ High first 11 captain and Northern Districts age group representative Scott will make his HSOB debut in regular club competition tomorrow.