Wounded Pirate will bat . . . ‘if needed’

‘CAN’T LET THE SKULLS AND BONES DOWN’: Brad Reynolds is still recovering from a broken arm but will pad up for Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates if required in their DJ Barry Cup match against Horouta tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

BRAD Reynolds is ready to answer an SOS call from Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates skipper Luke Hayes for tomorrow’s DJ Barry Cup clash against Horouta at Harry Barker Reserve.

Reynolds fractured his right arm playing “back yard cricket” but had a half cast removed yesterday.

“The specialist taped it up and, if needed, I’ll bat, hopefully at 11,” said Reynolds, who handed over the captaincy role to Mitchell Turner before Christmas.

“I was having trouble being available and the boys needed someone who was more available. Unfortunately Mitch is not playing this week so Luke Hayes has taken over as captain.”

Reynolds said he still had “some pain in his arm when pressure was applied”.

“That’s why I’m hoping we can get 11 players and I don’t have to bat, but at this stage it’s looking more likely that I’ll have to play . . . couldn’t let the ‘skull and bones’ down. We’ve got Mitch, Tom Hayes, Tom Needham, Andrew Ashton and Tayla Hollis definitely out, so it’s not looking too good (for Reynolds to sit this one out).”

Horouta, Pirates, Bollywood Stars and Bain Construction all have 25 points from their opening round wins last week, followed by Tamarind High School Old Boys (nine), Gisborne Boys’ High School (five) and GBHS (2) and Campion (both on three).

Horouta go into the game on the back of a seven-wicket win against Campion College last week but will find even a depleted Pirates side tougher opposition.

Pirates have match-winners in Dane Thompson, James Torrie, Aku Smith and Ryan Nepe.

The Stars will attempt to do what no other side have done this season when they take on unbeaten OBR in a rematch of the Doleman Cup final.

“All our focus is on this game, not what happened before Christmas,” said Stars vice-captain Ajay Kumar, who has a full-strength squad from which to choose. “Sam Singh is coming back from Auckland and hopefully he plays as well as he did last week.”

Singh scored an undefeated 111 as he guided the Stars to a thrilling win against HSOB.

“But we can’t rely on Sam and Gary (Singh, captain). We want everyone to make contributions with bat and ball. OBR are a good team but we’ll go into the game with a positive attitude and try to play attacking cricket.”

OBR club captain and top-order batsman Ian Loffler says his side are concentrating on performances and “letting the results take care of themselves”.

“We’ve given guys individual jobs and hopefully it all comes together in a team performance.”

OBR strike bowlers Jimmy Holden and Timoti Weir have been in sensational form while Craig Christophers chipped in with key wickets at crucial times.

On paper, a strong HSOB side should have no problem beating GBHS (1) but HSOB skipper Scott Tallott says paper teams don’t win games.

“No matter who you’re playing you need to put runs on the board and take wickets,” said Tallott. “I’m looking for a big improvement in our fielding from last week and I include myself in that. It’s tough watching fumbles in the field and from what I’ve seen this year it’s not just us.”

Tallott’s younger brother Robbie will be making his first appearance against the team he led before finishing at GBHS.

“We won’t have Sam (the oldest of the Tallott brothers) but Glen Udall comes in and he’s got plenty of experience.”

Campion and GBHS (2) have struggled to field teams over the school holidays. Campion should have the edge but it will depend on who fronts up.