Stars’ emergence boosts competition

BENDING THE BACK: Bollywood Stars all-rounder Keegan Martin puts everything into this delivery, watched by umpire Graeme Black. Picture by Paul Rickard

THE best thing that’s happened to cricket in the district, a local cricketer said last weekend after Bollywood Stars ended OBR’s unbeaten run in all competitions.

And that comment was echoed by others, including Bain Construction OBR co-captain Ian Loffler, Poverty Bay coach and former New Zealand test cricketer Lance Cairns and former Bay coach David McDonald.

“The Stars have been good for the competition,” said Loffer, whose side will be aiming to bounce back from the five-wicket loss when they play Gisborne Boys’ High School (1) in Round 3 of the DJ Barry Cup at Harry Barker Reserve tomorrow.

“They have two or three match-winners but some of their other players are starting to improve with more games.

“They (the Stars) are the favourites now, so other teams will look to knock them off.”

OBR will not have Kieran Venema, Josh Adams, Matt Cook and Sasha Drain, who are all unavailable.

“Matt Henwood comes in and Joe (Loffler, Ian’s brother) may play his first game for a while,” Ian Loffler said.

“We’re just trying to concentrate on performances, and last week wasn’t up to scratch. To lose our last seven wickets for 20-odd runs was not on.”

Cairns said, “Being from India, they all love their cricket and they understand the game.

“We’ve brought Harry Singh and (Horouta’s) Blake Taylor into training sessions ahead of our last three two-day games.

“Both are young bowlers who are keen to learn and listen.”

McDonald said, “Ajay Kumar and Gary Singh (both in the Bay squad) have done a fantastic job in establishing the Stars as a highly competitive team.

“They’re enthusiastic trainers, and always at the nets if they’re not working.

“Initially it was the ‘Ajay and Gary show’ but they are a lot more than that now. They have depth in batting and bowling.

“The addition of Sam Singh (also in the Bay squad) has bolstered their batting depth.

“He has so much time in playing his shots — the mark of a quality batsman — and he’s a handy medium-pace bowler.”

The Stars, who play Campion College tomorrow, and Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates share the competition lead with 50 points.

A win to either side tomorrow would seal a spot in the top-four playoffs and, despite the absence of Sam Singh (unavailable), the Stars should have no trouble beating a young Campion side who are bottom of the table.

“We won’t be bringing Sam from Auckland for this one; we’ll give someone else a chance,” Kumar said.

“Vinesh Nair, Simar Basra, Amit Vyas, Pratik Patel, Tushar Balat and Harry Singh are always at training and have positive attitudes.”

Kumar said Gagan Dhingra and Keegan Martin were important members of the team.

“Keegan’s a great team player and it’s always an advantage to have players like him in your team.

“He understands the game and he’s popular with all the players, very friendly and super-supportive.

“He’s an explosive batsman, more than handy with the ball and very good in the field.

“We’re also fortunate to have good sponsors. Baljeet (Singh) has been a major supporter, along with Kamal Mahil. They put in a lot of effort off the field.

“They’re the unsung heroes.”

¦ Tamarind High School Old Boys, third on 34 points, meet Pirates in a crucial game for both teams . . . Doleman Cup winners OBR and Horouta (both on 31 points) are breathing down their necks.

Pirates, looking to get their season back on track after a disappointing Doleman Cup campaign, will be without Tayla Hollis, Ollie Needham, Tayla Hollis and David Situ.

Skipper Mitchell Turner will still be able to field a strong line-up, including match-winners Dane Thompson, Richie Needham and James Torrie.

Horouta are determined to keep the pressure on the top two. They play Gisborne Boys’ High School (2), who are three points behind Horouta.

However, Horouta will be without six regulars — Pratik Jethwa, Clarence Campbell, Vishal Amin, captain Greg Taylor, his son Blake and Blake’s sister Phoebe,

“It’s a lot of changes, for one reason or another,” Greg Taylor said.

“With Blake away, Vaughan Thompson will captain the side, with Mel Knight vice-captain.

“They will be ably supported by four veterans, Beau Huhu,Tere Te Moananui, Duncan Gibson and Craig Hoole.

“That’s a wealth of experience to call on. Billy Morse will be back after some lively bowling in the Twenty20 game against OBR.

“Edwin Sandys returns to open the batting and Chad Collins will look to add to his wicket tally.

“We need to do the basics right and make sure we bat for longer than we did last week.

“We want to build on last week’s game, where our bowling and fielding was good.”

Boys’ High kept themselves in contention with a nine-wicket victory over Campion last week, thanks to a magnificent opening partnership of 108 from Angus Orsler (57 off 57 balls) and Harry Holdsworth (35 not out off 55 balls) chasing Campion’s 114.

Boosted by that result and facing a depleted Horouta side, Peter Stewart’s young charges might just rise to the occasion tomorrow.

Wicketkeeper Orsler has been one of the big improvers this season. He picked up two good stumpings, while medium-pacer Clay Barry and Daniel Stewart did the damage with the ball, each claiming three wickets.