Having loan players was necessary at this stage of development, Cairns said.
“It’s not realistic to expect local players — some as young as 16, 17 and 18 — to make the step up from club cricket to rep level, and win.
“The local players can learn from the loan guys if you have the right type of loan players, which I believe we have.”
Former South African first-class cricketer Nick Hendrie (108 runs) and fellow loan players Jake Rowe (four wickets for 37 runs) and Chris Tupaea (3-31) were outstanding in the Bay’s 25-run victory at Harry Barker Reserve.
“Don’t forget the contributions from our senior players Jimmy Holden, Craig Christophers and Glen Udall,” Cairns said.
Holden was entrusted to bowl at the death as Bay of Plenty needed 30 off the last three overs.
After conceding a two and two singles, Holden delivered the coup de grâce, beating the last batsman all ends up.
“Jimmy’s not the quickest bowler but if there’s something in the wicket, he can move the ball away from the right-handers, which I like.
“If there’s nothing in the wicket he can bowl line and length.
“Craig (32) and Glen are good people and that goes a long way in my book when it comes to picking players.
“Glen’s been out of rep cricket for a long time but to see how excited he was to be back was great.
“He’s got a great eye for a guy of his age (48) and was incredible behind the stumps,
“I’ve already put the hard word on him to make himself available next year.
"You can't do without experience"“You can’t do without experience and the younger guys (Paul Stewart, Sam Patterson, Drew Scott, Jack Faulkner, and Adam Whibley) will all learn from playing with these guys.”
Poverty Bay have one more game — a non-competition match against Bay of Plenty Lakelands in Rotorua — at the end of the month.
“We want to give the rep players more game time and it’s important to back it up with another win.
“Ideally I would have liked another 15 to 20 runs but the positive that came out of the game was the attitude towards batting.
“Players are no longer getting out to stupid shots. Scott Tallott was unlucky to get out, caught on the fine-leg boundary with the only shot he played in the air.
“He’s starting to realise if he plays the ball along the ground he’ll remain at the crease.
“All the bowlers did well, tying the batsmen down, and the required run rate kept creeping up.
“Chris (Tupaea) was beating the bat two or three times every over and he got the first three wickets. That’s encouraging.
“If I have to find fault, it was that we bowled too many wides, but that’s something that can be improved.”
Cairns said he wanted to see the standard of club cricket improve next season.
“That’s where the rep players have to set the standard. Batsmen should be scoring big runs on a regular basis and not throwing their wickets away. Bowlers have to be taking wickets consistently.”
