POVERTY Bay coach David McDonald said his team blew a great chance to open their Northern Districts one-day account with a win in Taupo yesterday.
“We bowled really well, especially Sam Tallott who took six wickets for 51 runs off 10 overs to restrict Counties Manukau to 232-7, in their50 overs,” said McDonald, whose side were bowled out for 167 in the 44th over.
“With the batting power we have, the target of just over 4.5 runs per over to win was gettable. We just didn’t form enough partnerships — too many batsmen getting out to soft dismissals.”
Thomas Hayes top scored for the Bay with 48 off 62 balls but then lost his wicket when he hit the ball “straight to the fielder”.
“Others got starts, but didn’t go on,” McDonald said.
“Sam, who you’d expect to score 100 before talking six wickets in a rep match scored 25, Josh Bates got 24 and Thorn Parkes 20 but couldn’t push on. If you get beaten by a better team you can take it but this was a game we could have won.
“The weather didn’t help, showers interrupting play throughout the day and we didn’t finish till late. But that’s no excuse. It was definitely winnable.”
Poverty Bay play Northland today before finishing with a game against Waikato Valley, who took first-innings points in a Fergus Hickey Rosebowl two-day game here last week.
