Poverty Bay win their second 30-over match at cricket camp

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

Poverty Bay have now tasted victory.

The Jimmy Holden-coached Mixed Schools team won their second 30-over match at the Riverbend Year 8B cricket camp by 15 runs.

The Bay achieved victory over Whanganui yesterday morning with a great performance but fell victim to an accomplished Taranaki Gold crew immediately after that. The 'Naki's margin in Round 3 was 153 runs.

Joel Kirkpatrick, who made 30 not out in Poverty Bay's first game — a 38-run loss to Hutt District Black on Wednesday — led the side in Round 2. He won the toss and opted to bat on the Park Island Ground 4 artificial wicket in overcast conditions.

First-drop Leo Starck (19) and Jack Holden (18no), in at No.8, were the Bay's best with the bat against Whanganui as the side reached 109-7.

Seamers Will Revell, Luke Delaney and Oscar Butcher all took two wickets apiece for Whanganui.

Poverty Bay batted to term in rounds 1 and 2, which is no small matter, as they regularly play T20 cricket at home.

They then dismissed Whanganui for 94 in 28.3 overs. Cam Walters, Jonah Reynolds, Arlo Willis and keeper-cum-speedster Connor Starck all claimed two wickets for the pace attack.

Left-arm new-ball bowler Caleb Taewa set an excellent tone, conceding only three runs in three overs. He also held two catches.

Whanganui No.1 Hamish Cranstone played a fine hand for 41 in the run-chase.

It was a keen contest played in trying conditions. Poverty Bay made a strong impression on Whanganui coach Steve Price.

“The Bay boys went well with the bat first-up and Connor Starck was nippy with the ball in the second innings,” he said.

“They're a good side all-round.”

Jimmy Holden had every right to be pleased.

“That was a good, tense game,” he said.

“It was tough to score runs early on with a wet outfield and a soft ball but Jonah Reynolds (15 at No.4) and Leo Starck batted well and then Jack Holden and Manjot Singh (16, in at 7) backed that up at the end to see us through to a competitive total.

“Our bowling and fielding were also very tight and I was impressed that we conceded only 18 extras. Hamish Cranstone batted well for them and got them close, but we held all of our catches and the boys stayed positive to get the win.”

Wednesday, Round 1, 30 overs —

Hutt District Year 8 Black 152-9 (Liam Bateson 27, Ashwyn Thakur 21; Jack Holden 3-13) beat Poverty Bay Mixed Schools 114-9 (Joel Kirkpatrick 30; Luke Tibbs 2-10, Luke Beams 2-13).

Thursday, Round 2, 30 overs —

Poverty Bay Mixed Schools 109-7 (Leo Starck 19, Jack Holden 18no; William Revell 2-7, Luke Delaney 2-7, Oscar Butcher 2-9) beat Whanganui Yr8 94 (Hamish Cranstone 41, William Revell 12; Cam Walters 2-7, Jonah Reynolds 2-8, Arlo Willis 2-9, Connor Starck 2-12).

Round 3, 30 overs —

Taranaki Gold 204-5 (Cohen Riddick 54 retired, Benjamin Sinclair 51no, Charlie Broadmore 25, Nathan Fleming 22; Caleb Taewa 2-19) beat PBCA Mixed Schools 51 (Arlo Willis 11, Leo Starck 8; Theo Soothill 2-5, Joshua Taylor 2-10).