Wilson stars with ball in Poverty Bay victory

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

CRICKET by Ben O’Brien-Leaf

Outstanding individual performances by Dylan Foster and Sebastian Wilson highlighted Poverty Bay’s win at the Hawke’s Bay Year 8 Riverbend tournament yesterday.

Foster produced the Bay’s batting display of the tournament so far — an unbeaten 50 at the top of the order — as Poverty Bay beat Wanganui United Juniors by 15 runs in the 30-overs clash at Park Island sports reserve.

Wilson, however, was the Bay’s player of the game. Defending 130-7, paceman Wilson took 2-12 off four overs as Wanganui replied with 115-7.

His efforts included a caught and bowled, a maiden over and two catches in the field.

Foster’s batsmanship was based on placement and excellent running. He hit only one boundary off 70 balls but was by far the Bay’s top scorer, with only three others making it into double figures (two scores of 11, one of 10) after captain and wicketkeeper Angus Baker won the toss.

Poverty Bay suffered a 48-run loss to Havelock North Scott Clinic earlier in the day.

Havelock won the toss, chose to bat and made 153-9.

PB seamer Peter Reynolds took 2-20 off four in a man-of-the-match performance.

Reynolds, who claimed 1-9 off four in the afternoon game, is an exciting talent — an accurate bowler, superb in the field, with potential to bat just as well.

Wilson picked up 1-7 off four, leg-spinner Foster 1-34 off 10, Brayden Sycamore 1-10 off two and fellow medium pacer Hamish Swann 1-10 off one.

Opening batsman Sam Briant (18 runs from 25 balls) was the Bay’s leading run-scorer. Second-drop Noah Torrance-Cribb made 14, Foster, at No.11, an unbeaten 14 and No.10 Rhys Grogan 12.

Poverty Bay manager Andy Baker commended both tail-enders on their “creative strokeplay”.

Grogan also bowled well in the Wanganui game, claiming 1-3 off two.

Poverty Bay today had a 50-overs game against Onslow Morrisons at Frimley Park.