Wekas live up to pedigree

Swashbuckler: Poverty Bay Wekas batsman Glen Udall drops to one knee to slash a ball wide of the wicket. The Wekas won their match against the Southland development squad, played at Gisborne Intermediate School’s “boutique” ground on Saturday. Picture by Paul Rickard

The Poverty Bay Wekas did their cricket pedigree justice on Saturday.

The Craig Christophers-led composite side beat the Southland development squad by 32 runs at Gisborne Intermediate School’s “boutique” ground.

Christophers, like his teammates Glen Udall and Jimmy Holden, is a former Poverty Bay senior representative and led a side made up of “mature” cricketers whose passion for the game still burns brightly.

“That was an awesome game played in fantastic spirit,” said Christophers, skipper also of Rawhiti Legal OBR, Poverty Bay Senior B club cricket champions and holders of the Hope Cup.

“Both teams went after the win even as they maintained excellent etiquette and respect for the opposition.

“Lloyd van Zyl’s innings of 17 not out from No.8 for us, was outstanding, the bowlers and fielders did a great job for us too, but Jimmy (3-12 off 5.3 overs) was exceptional.

“We’d like to wish the southern boys a safe trip home — two of them are still here, and we’re looking forward to meeting them again. We also owe a massive debt of gratitude to Glen Udall (Gisborne Intermediate School principal) and Jeff Chambers for their organisation around this fixture.”

Chambers played for Winton in Arrowtown. Southland development squad members who came here also play for the One-hit Wonders, Lethal Weapons, Steve Smith’s Sandpapering Team or another of the 40 six-a-side teams who play socially in Queenstown on Wednesday evenings.

Southland captain Jason Herron and his crew enjoyed their second trip to Gisborne.

“We’ll definitely be coming back,” he said.

“Our boys live for cricket. Getting to play a game is the highlight of the week for many of them. It’s an excuse to get together, and the Wekas are very good cricketers, great guys, so we’ll keep this relationship going.”

Eschewing a toss, the Southland development squad bowled first in the 40-over fixture on a hot day. Christophers (56no) and Udall (19) saw the Wekas through to 40 before Udall fell, caught by Jonathan Browne off the bowling of Rowan McDonald. Christophers retired, and Matt Henwood and Ollie Needham both made 20 from 3 and 4 respectively.

The Southland development bowlers impressed with their line — and especially their length —on the artificial wicket, because on that type of pitch the short ball sits up to be hammered.

Herron took 3-12 off four overs, towering left-armer Browne 1-40 off five and Jeremy Marr 1-13 off five. Marr beat both Wekas openers — fine players and good technicians — with his outswing. In the Southland innings, he top-scored with 32 off 39 balls, hitting two sixes and two fours from No.8.

First-drop Browne (24) and guest Southland player Thom Berry (22) also showed their wares with the bat in pursuit of the Wekas’ 178-9.

The southerners were dismissed for 146 in 38.3 overs, but made Chambers (2-14), Mike Gibson (2-17) and spearhead Holden’s new-ball partner van Zyl (2-36) pay a high price for the rare loose delivery.

Browne annihilated anything short but Holden took 2-3 in nine balls to wrap up the game.

Udall presented Christophers with the Town and Country Trophy restored by Intermediate art teacher Bryan Notting.

With Udall’s imminent departure as principal, it is noted that he and former High School Old Boys teammate Notting have, with concepts such as the TW Challenge, done the sport at the school great good by fuelling the passion of aspiring cricketers for competitive play, as opposed to the dry, numbing, participation-focused variety.