Players eager to get on with it

TOTAL TEAM MAN: That's how OBR club captain Ian Loffler describes Jonathan Purcell, who retains the on-field captaincy of OBR after taking over last season. "Captaincy is a natural progression for JP," Loffler said. "He's a good tactical thinker and leads from the front with his fielding and enthusiasm, and he gives us good bowling options with his leg-spin. He's a handy middle-order batsman who has developed into a solid all-rounder who always gives 100 percent. If I had to sum him up, I'd say he was a total team man." Picture by Paul Rickard.

Pirates v OBRPirates begin the defence of their Doleman Cup cricket title against OBR tomorrow with six players from the side who beat OBR in the 2014 final.

Skipper Mitchell Turner will have evergreen bowler Aku Smith, Brad Reynolds, Olly Tilley, Andrew Ashton and Inder Singh back in the fold for another season.

“We’ll have Dane Thompson and the Needham brothers Richie and Tom when they come back from university in a couple of weeks, so that will certainly strengthen the team,” Turner said.

Landmark Homes Bain Construction OBR club captain Ian Loffler said his team couldn’t wait to start the season.

“We’ve had a few solid net sessions and with last weekend being rained off it will be great to play this weekend,” said Loffler, who has been with OBR since 2001.

Craig Christophers has been with the club even longer, since 1998. Other OBR regulars returning for another season include skipper Jonathan Purcell, Matt Cook, Jimmy Holden, Timoti Weir and Evan Mooney.

“Evan came back last year and played a few games so it’s good to get him back again this season,” Loffler said. “Zane Boyle is also back after being away at university and we have a new player in Matt Henshaw, who’s shown good form in the nets.”

While Loffler is the club captain, Purcell, who took over as on-field captain last season, will continue to be the man calling the shots in the middle, with support from Loffler and Christophers.

Boys' High v HoroutaNew Gisborne Boys’ High School captain Robbie Tallott wants his side to get an early “winning feeling” when they take on Hope Cup champions Horouta.

“It’s not just for the points; it would be a good confidence booster, especially with Jak Rowe still recovering from injury and us having a new-look team with a lot of junior players this season,” said 16-year-old Tallott, who made his Poverty Bay debut last year. With Bay senior rep strike bowler Rowe unavailable, Jarrod Davenport, Ryan Nepe and Tallott will spearhead the attack.

Among the newcomers to watch would be Jack Faulkner and Ben McNeil, Tallott said. “Jack is a promising medium-pace bowler and Ben’s been in good form batting in the nets,” said Tallott, who could open with Drew Scott.

Horouta welcome back Marty Brandso and Blake Taylor, who were both unavailable last week, but will be without Taylor’s father Greg (attending a wedding) and sister Phoebe (on duty with the Poverty Bay women’s team in Auckland).

“At this stage all our new players are available to make their Horouta debut,” Greg Taylor said. That means skipper Bryan Forde and vice-captain Tere Te Moananui will have a strong line-up.

Included will be Horouta stalwarts Clarence Campbell, Billy Morse and Jason Brooks, and newcomers Dogar Puria, Sukhi Karpania, Amit Vyas, Kieran Blair, Warren Milligan, Francis Gray and Keegan Martin.

Campion v HSOBCampion co-captain Caleb Greaves said his team expected a tough first-up game against Tamarind High School Old Boys.

“HSOB are traditionally one of the top club sides in the district and I’d expect no different from them this season,” Greaves said. “They’ve lost key players from last season, but they have Jagroop Singh, a tidy pace bowler who has the ability to move the ball off the seam. On the green Harry Barker wickets he’ll be formidable.

“There’s no underestimating their batting line-up. Ajay Kumar (captain) has the ability to cause bowlers grief with his hard-hitting approach. Ajay is a player who leads from the front. He’s taken over well from former skipper Ryan Majstrovic.

“Hunter Jones and I have been in and around their environment during previous Walker Shield seasons and they are guys who have a genuine love for the game. They’re also very supportive of each other.”

Greaves said Campion had a core group — James Torrie (co-captain), Marshall Norris, Patrick Mathers, and Jones.

“We also have Matt Naden and Sam Patterson, who have improved hugely since last season. Sam, in particular, has been bowling well, having good showings against tough opposition at a tournament in Napier with a Poverty Bay age-group side.

“Matt offers us some versatility in the team as our second all-rounder. He’s developed into a solid, hard-hitting batsman who proved last season that he has the ability to swing a game in our favour.

“He has also been working hard on his bowling. He has gained in pace, and is bigger and stronger this season. He’s also a much more controlled bowler and will be valuable for us as the season goes on.”

Kumar said HSOB were looking forward to the game. “We’re rebuilding but getting good numbers at net sessions.”