Cricket: Old Boys hope to relive past glories

DEDICATION: NTOB skipper Liam Rukuwai says they will try to qualify for the National Club Champs for the stalwarts and veteran players. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

The Texans are never shy of venturing into OK Corral-type of shootouts when it comes to premier men's club cricket in Hawke's Bay.

But it's fair to say a few summers have swept by between drinks since the Complete Flooring Napier Technical Old Boys (NTOB) team have made it past the Hawke's Bay-qualifying rounds in a bid to book a berth at the National Club Finals in Auckland.

That changed this season when old and young hands did some soul-searching in the changing sheds to resurrect glories of the past as they play New Plymouth's Marist United (Taranaki) in Palmerston North from 10.30am today in a clash of the four inter-region winners from the Central Districts catchment area.

NTOB thrashed Greytown by 193 runs in Wairarapa late last month to progress to Palmy while the other two qualifiers facing off today are Athletic College Old Boys (Nelson) v Levin Old Boys CC (Horowhenua-Kapiti).

"We're dedicating it to the old club stalwarts," says NTOB skipper Liam Rukuwai, of the likes of Les Kennedy, David Caldwell, Jack Dale and current coach Dale Smidt.

"These guys have stepped away this summer and are great supporters now after helping the team for years," said Rukuwai, but it was equally meaningful to win for veterans such as Craig Herrick and Jurgen Andersen.

The 26-year-old builder's apprentice is among a rash of players with Hawke Cup or Bay senior men's rep experience. Ash Vodnala has played for Northern Districts A.

It is NTOB's first appearance in the new format but they have tasted glory as NZ champs in the older format.

They have added HB Cricket CEO Craig Findlay into the equation and the 44-year-old ex-CD Stag knows what victory at national level tastes like.

"Craig's keen to help os to get to club champs so he'll be a key if he plays," says Rukuwai as the winners will progress to tomorrow's final playoff to decide CD's representatives to Auckland.

However, in NTOB's last outing in 2009, when Rukuwai, Bronson Meehan and Stevie Smidt were relative spring chooks, they finished last out of six in Auckland.

"We lost the first game that year so we enjoyed the experience and just had a good time after that," says Rukuwai, adding Meehan is "the Rock" now after his 80-odd against Greytown.

Wicketkeeper JK Whyte is pivotal in revving up players.

"He's kind of the heart of the team and gees us up from behind the stumps to focus," says Rukuwai.

He also lauded coach Smidt since his return after a two-year hiatus.

"He's kept us on our feet so it's great to have him back again."

NTOB (in likely batting order): 1. Indika Senarathne*, 2. Josh Paerau, 3. Matt Edmondson*, 4. Bronson Meehan*, 5. Ash Vodnala*, 6. Craig Findlay*, 7. Stevie Smidt*, 8. Liam Rukuwai (c)*, 9. Jurgen Andersen*, 10. Jayden Lennox*, 11. Craig Herrick*, 12. JK Whyte (wk), 13. Izaiah Lange.

Coach: Dale Smidt.

Manager: Mike Pawson.

* denotes current/ex-provincial reps.