When Matt Edmondson was about 11 years old Colin Schaw used to help him pad up, put on his thigh pad and box before he went out to bat for his Hawke's Bay age-group team.
So when Edmondson yesterday carved up his maiden century for the Pay Excellence Bay seniormen's team in Napier to spearhead a first-innings victory over favourites Manawatu, the memories flooded back for Schaw.
"To see him get to 108 was great feeling because he's a brilliant battler," said the coach, after the Napier Tech opening batsman carved up 11 boundaries and a six from 202 balls.
The hosts had won the toss and chose to bowl, on a wicket cooking under the covers from the recent moisture and humidity, to skittle the visitors for 196 with just captain Mitchell Renwick the mainstay at first drop with 108. He failed to find teammates to build partnerships with.
Spinner GC Pretorius again showed his worth with a five-wicket bag from 30 overs, including 10 maidens, to also be the most frugal at 1.8 runs an over.
In reply, the Bay were 241 all out, after a rain delay saw them continue play yesterday at 2.45pm before claiming first-innings points at tea.
Captain Jacob Smith and Edmondson provided the platform for an 87-run partnership.
Schaw, on debut at the helm, said the victory yesterday brought a little respect back to the region after they beat Manawatu last summer but didn't earn the right to challenge.
"Renwick batted extremely well otherwise we would have been chasing a smaller target," he said. The Bay play Whanganui on February 13-14 in the last round.
