Cricket: Outright victory proves elusive for Bay

Hawke's Bay bowler Ben Stoyanoff claimed six wickets in the first innings but couldn't emulate that feat in the second dig because of a heel injury. Photo/file

The game had all the hallmarks of an outright win but in cricket, as they say, anything can happen and, regrettably for the Hawke's Bay senior men's representative team, it did last night.

The Pay Excellence-sponsored side toiled to claim 20 wickets against Wairarapa but it wasn't enough to hit the highway home with maximum points in their opening Furlong Cup qualifying match, for the right to challenge for the Hawke Cup, at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton.

Coach Colin Schaw saluted Brock Price for his ton in Wairarapa's second dig but lamented his bowlers' inability to put the ball in the right place.

It didn't help that first-innings seamer Ben Stoyanoff couldn't carry on his 6-25 heroics in the second dig after picking up an injury.

"We never really consistently nagged at them," Schaw said. "There were periods where we bowled extremely well but, at times, we let them off the hook."

You Travel Taradale CC new-ball merchant Stoyanoff had a bruised heel so landing on it on completing a delivery made it untenable.

"We probably could have pushed him to bowl but then I felt it was too early in the season to risk it so we'll have to see how he is tomorrow, really."

The Jacob Smith-captained Bay lost the toss but amassed 289 runs on the platform of opening batsman James Field's century (103) in a game where 12 overs were lost on Saturday night and early yesterday morning due to rain and poor light.

Bayleys Real Estate Havelock North CC batsman Field carved up 16 boundaries from 165 balls to earn kudos from Schaw.

In reply, the Dan Ingham-skippered hosts could only manage 109 runs in 30.4 overs before they were skittled.

Made to follow on, Wairarapa No 4 batsman Price batted really well to frustrate the Bay with 108 runs, including nine fours and four sixes from 140 balls, before they were skittled for 283 as Smith used eight bowlers.

The Bay shuffled their line up to boost the run rate but lost two quick wickets before shaking hands.

"We thought we'd try to have a go but it was pretty dark."

Schaw was disappointed with Wairarapa's resolve after they had done well to get themselves back into the game to leave Bay a target.

"They played pretty negatively at the end. I suppose it's about a team without any confidence."

The Bay play HK Bear Horowhenua Kapiti at Wereroa Domain, Levin, this weekend but it won't be easy after the latter drew with Manawatu.

"The pressure comes on because they've got a couple of pros and are doing well," he said but emphasised it was too early in the season to start panicking.