Cricket: NOBM opt for reverse psychology in qualifier

ALLROUNDERS IN ARMS: Christian Leopard (left) and Jack Ward. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

It's a Napier derby but only one club will claim the bragging rights to represent Hawke's Bay in the national premier club championship early next year.

The prudent will put their money on Complete Flooring Napier Technical Old Boys (NTOB) to fly that flag at Cornwall CC in Auckland during the Easter weekend in early April.

Quietly the rest of the Bay clubs will cling to the adage of "anything can happen" simply because they draw immense pleasure from watching the overwhelming favourites stumble.

"It's going to be a bigger game for Tech than it'll be for us," says The Station Napier Old Boys' Marist (NOBM) English import Jack Ward before they draw the line in the sand today from 11am at Nelson Park No3 pitch, Napier. "I think all the pressure is on them because we're underdogs so there isn't that much pressure if we lose," says Ward, mindful the George Diack-captained Reds are "pretty tough".

"They play well, field well and work as a team," says the allrounder who has scored 31 and 63 runs for NOBM at No3 since arriving here on November 29.

If Ward finds traction with veteran Mathew Sinclair at No4 then it'll be a humdinger.

No5 Casey Rangi has a groin strain but has turned up to trainings, suggesting NOBM will employ him as a bolshy batsman.

Ward, who has claimed five wickets to date with his right-arm seam, belonged to Brendon Bracewell's academy for two years before NOBM enticed him back.

The 21-year-old hails from Cheshire and is a member of Macclesfield CC who exported several players to Bracewell's academy.

Having had a taste of Durham 2nd XI last northern summer, he hopes to break into the side on returning home and secure a starting berth.

He has the backing of parents Malcolm and Jane Ward to find "progression in my game".

For NTOB allrounder Christian Leopard it's a no-brainer to ascend to an elite level.

"It'll be pretty cool to play somewhere different against unknown premier club teams outside of Hawke's Bay," Leopard says.

The 17-year-old, who is on track to become an electrical apprentice with Panpac after leaving Napier Boys' High School at Year 12 this year, doesn't mince words about NTOB's pedigree.

"We're a very strong Tech side so it'll be interesting to see how well we'll do."

Opening bowler Liam Rukuwai is not playing due to bereavement after the death of his mother, Leeanne, last Saturday.

Josh Paerau also isn't available due to work commitments.

Leopard is likely to shine the new ball in Rukuwai's absence. He has accumulated 21 wickets in the Property Brokers limited-overs competition.

The teenager took a break from cricket last summer to channel his energy into middle-distance and cross-country running.

"I've stopped running now to take cricket more seriously," says Leopard who was in the Bay U17 team competing in the annual Central Districts tournament at Nelson Park this week.

The demands of running and the isolation from a team environment got to him eventually. He played three games for the Bay Under-17s, carving up 24 not out against Wanganui in Monday's nine-wicket victory, 51 runs on Tuesday in the five-wicket win over Nelson and 29 in Thursday's 10-run loss to Manawatu.

For Leopard who has come through myriad age groups since he was 12, batting at No4 is ideal.

The ball loses its sheen and it also is an opportune time for him to come in if early wickets tumble to enable him to bat for time.

While Leopard's excelling with the ball, batting remains his priority.

"Batting is more satisfying as I enjoy being on the crease. It's one against 11 others on the field," he says, making up for lost time from last season.

Bay U17 coach Dale Smidt says Leopard has a great future in cricket. "Christian's the best young talent in Hawke's Bay since Jesse Ryder."

Smidt says the teenager also is a "brilliant fielder".

-NOBM: Llorne Howell (c), Jesse Singh, Jack Ward, Mathew Sinclair, Casey Rangi, Harry Ghodke, Damien Scott, Daniel Drepaul (wkt), Brendan Quinn, Anoop Reuka-Prajad, Adam Pearse.

-NTOB: Jayden Lennox, Matt Edmonson (wkt), Bronson Meehan, Indika Senarathne, Stevie Smidt, George Diack (c), Christian Leopard, Jeremy Kuru, Jimmy Denby, Corey Hamilton, JK Whyte.