Yesterday morning Roberts won the toss at Haumoana Memorial Park in excellent conditions, choosing to bat on an artificial pitch.
Roberts (12) and Nathan Putter (15) shared a gritty stand of 22.
The strong Cornwall bowling attack of both pace and spin — fast bowlers Ethan Thomas (4-3 from 3.4 overs), Sam Griffiths (2-2 from two overs) and wristy leg-spinner Jasremann Preet Singh (1-4 from three overs) all impressed.
Singh — who also held three catches, two at slip, one at point — has a natural loop and turns the ball well both ways. The Poverty Bay boys’ experience of facing him will serve them well long-term if it prompts more aggressive intent and better footwork.
Thomas, in at No.4 for Cornwall, made 10 at a run a ball after openers Alex Brandeburg (31) — his team’s MVP (most valuable player) — and Hridhann Mann (22) were retired with the score at 66. Cornwall won the game by 10 wickets.
After lunch, Poverty Bay took on a tidy Havelock North crew at the Clifton County ground, a natural amphitheatre and the perfect setting for cricket.
Havelock North captain Jimmy Johnston won the toss and opted to bat.
They made 142-7, Freddie Fleming striking five fours in his 28-ball innings of 31 retired at No.5.
Opener Jonte Le Comte had set a high standard for application. He scored 25 in 72 minutes before he was caught by wicketkeeper Max Egan off gloveman-cum-leggie Arthur Cave (1-7 from three overs).
Putter (1-13) and Jed Reynolds (1-8) both bowled four good overs of medium pace while Ged Cook, with 1-21 from three overs, also learned valuable lessons.
The Year 6 team are a close-knit side whose players, the youngest Poverty Bay Cricket sends away, have picked up a lot about cricket in the past two days.
Reuben Walsh fielded superbly for Poverty Bay, holding a great catch at square leg off Reynolds to account for Le Comte’s opening partner Mac Bayliss (10) and running out Johnston for 12.
Walsh, Reynolds and Cave ran out three Havelock North batsmen and lost only one batsman, Cody McMurray (2), eighth man in, like that in the run-chase.
Roberts’s unbeaten 32 included four boundaries in his 75 minutes at the crease. He was watchful and technically correct, and had the support of Reynolds and Hunter Irwin in quality partnerships of 35 and 21 for the first and fourth wickets respectively.
Although the next best individual score was No.5 Egan’s seven runs, the Bay took great heart from having three wickets in hand at the end of the game. They were 97-7 after 30 overs: victory to Havelock North by 45 runs.
Off-spinner Freddie Fleming took 3-9 from three overs to be Havelock North’s best with the ball.
Havelock North coach Jason Johnstone said: “Poverty Bay gave us a hard game — Jack got through our opening bowlers, and another eight change bowlers before he retired.
“They showed real heart with the bat and we struggled to break through.”
Poverty Bay coach Grant Walsh is pleased with the effort he’s seen from his team.
“The team have gelled and are showing great spirit against some more refined cricketers,” he said.
“We’re setting improvement targets — and the boys are reaching them — so we’re very happy with the side’s progress.
“We are seeking a win and are looking forward to Day 3 and Day 4 of the camp.”
Jack Roberts won the toss in Game 4 and Poverty Bay chose to bat first against Wellington Collegians on ground 3 at Park Island.
