ANENDRA SINGH
As Andrew Douglas chugged in and delivered at goodish length, the ball whizzed past Manawatu batsman Bryce Grant at Nelson Park.
With eight balls to spare there was an air of anticipation from the Bay fans in Napier as the Hawke's Bay senior men's cricket side clung onto hopes of a Chapple Cup victory yesterday.
The expectations of Grant were also enormous. He was in a belligerent mood, having found the boundary twice before that at No8 as Black Cap Michael Mason stood on the other end of the crease.
Douglas re-loaded, bending his back, and coughed up an almost-identical ball, but this time, eyes wide open, Grant smacked it past deep mid-wicket for a boundary as the Manawatu camp erupted in applause and cheers.
With a don't-argue 34 off 24 balls, including four boundaries and a six, Grant had helped amass 230-7 in 48.4 overs to eclipse the Bay's total for a two-wicket win. Teammates Willie Murray (42 runs) and Dave Meiring (68) had laid the platform for Grant to explode.
Lamenting his side's first loss in 18 matches, Bay coach Dale Smidt said: ``The bottom line is we didn't score enough runs. A total of 227 was always going to be hard to defend out there.'
He commended his troop's character to stay in the game, considering the visitors were 130-1 at a stage, needing threes runs an over, before the bowlers reeled in seven wickets.
``We just spluttered and stuttered along except for Michael Taiaroa who scored 93 not out, which was exceptional, and he batted well again.'
The Harvey's Cornwall batsman, coming in at No5, racked up six boundaries and three sixes in his innings.
Unfortunately his day ended prematurely on the field when he was rushed to hospital after injuring his finger while falling awkwardly while fielding.
Smidt, while noting Mason wasn't bowling at 100 per cent, said the smart operator's mere presence gave the visitors a lift.
``We have four rounds left in the Chapple Cup so we're not out of it yet. We need to win two to have a reasonable chance to make the finals,' he said.
The Bay play Marlborough away and Wanganui at home in early February.
The two-day Hawke Cup match ended in a draw but the Bay came away with the first-innings points on Saturday. The hosts amassed 464-9 declared on Friday.
Opener Bronson Meehan scored 95 but No4 James de Terte scored 124, including 23 boundaries. No6 Marc Calkin chimed in with a ton too (102), including 17 fours and heaving one over the ropes.
Havelock North skipper Rick Breakwell, at No8, smashed 54 off 32 balls including five fours and four sixes.
Mason was frugal with a wicket from 20 overs, including 10 maidens for the loss of 51 runs. However, Rob Sheary claimed a five-wicket bag.
Manawatu, in their run chase, were skittled for 174 with Jeremy Kuru claiming four scalps and Stevie Smidt and Kieran Naoma-Barnett taking two each.
With the follow-on imposed, the visitors were 247-7 with Sheary (66 no) and Andy Wylie (63 runs) digging their toes in to ensure a draw.
Poor light just before tea robbed some game time on Friday but the players bowled soon after for 123 minutes.
Naoma-Barnett took three wickets and Douglas, Liam Rukuwai took two each.
While happy with the seven points, Smidt said they were not making any excuses.
``I realise, as coach, I want my guys playing for the [Central Districts] Stags and a lot of them are, so we had a young side this weekend.
``Overall they did well considering we have four 19-year-olds (Stevie Smidt, Andy Dodd, Meehan and Liam Rukuwai).
``We've lost Brad Patton, Dougie Bracewell, Mitchell McClenaghan and Robbie Schaw so they have huge shoes to fill.'
The Bay play Marlborough in Blenheim on January 30-31. Smidt was upbeat about the chances of inheriting a Stag or two to boost their ranks. depending on how the State Shield (one-day matches) pan out.
CUP CRICKET: Fighting-fit Grant smacks away Bay's hopes of victory
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