Cricket: Rukuwai collects 100th scalp as Kirk Cup retained

Liam Rukuwai travelled north knowing he had a chance of collecting his 100th scalp. Photo/File

Right-arm seamer Liam Rukuwai claimed his 100th scalp as his Hawke's Bay cricket team retained the Kirk Cup with Sunday's 78-run victory against Poverty Bay in Gisborne.

"It's good to finally get there after 10 seasons playing for the Bay. I went up there knowing I had to get two wickets for the 100 so it was good to get them," Rukuwai said during a smoko break while on the job as a builder for Drinkrow Construction yesterday.

"While we didn't bat the best it was good to retain the cup. It was a good learning curve as we look ahead to Chapple Cup fixtures next month."

Rukuwai, 28, said the weather conditions, there was early morning rain at Harry Barker Reserve, had a bit to do with the visitors batting. The bloke who captained Napier Technical to the national club title last summer was impressed with how Taradale's Ben Stoyanoff captained the Pay Excellence Hawke's Bay side following the late withdrawal of Havelock North's Central Districts rep Brad Schmulian, who dislocated his finger during club play.

It was a memorable weekend for Rukuwai as his club side beat Central in Onga Onga on Saturday.

Schmulian's withdrawal allowed his promising clubmate Will Clark to make his debut for the Bay. Hawke's Bay coach Dave Castle said his troops produced some clinical bowling but there is a little bit to work on in the batting department.

"It comes down to simple decision making. Our guys have got some fantastic skills ... it comes down to focusing on the moment and not getting ahead of themselves.

"We got caught out mentally. Liam's 100th was a fantastic achievement and Jayden did well," Castle said referring to Rukuwai's clubmate, left-arm off spinner Jayden Lennox who took 5-8.

"Jayden had a fantastic change of pace," Castle recalled.

His troops will attempt to retain the Chapple Cup during the Nelson Park-hosted tournament in Napier from November 16 to 18. Hawke's Bay will take on Horowhenua-Kapiti in their first outing.

Playing three games of cricket in three days could have been used as an excuse for Bollywood Stars Poverty Bay's loss in the 45-over fixture. Walker Shield T15 Blast games on Friday night were followed by Doleman Cup 40-over games on Saturday. But Poverty Bay skipper Nick Hendrie was not interested in excuses.

"Their attack was too good for our batsmen," Hendrie said.

Poverty Bay dismissed the visitors for 136 off 37 overs. In reply, Hawke's Bay rolled the home side for 58 in 28.1 overs.

"It was a game of one half for us," Hendrie said.

"The bowlers did their job after Hawke's Bay came out firing and put on 60 runs off six overs.

"But all our bowlers stuck to their guns and were backed up by good fielding to dismiss them for 136, which I think shocked them."

At one stage, they looked to be heading towards a score of around 300.

"I was proud of the way we fought back. Craig Christophers came on and bowled eight overs on the trot for very few runs. Matt Crampton (2-16) and Paul Stewart (2-14) also chipped in.

"Paul (seamer) is young but he's learning and improving with every game. Matty (Crampton, spinner) did a good job.

"All we needed was for one of our batters — me included — to post a big score, and that didn't happen. I'm very disappointed with my performance (Hendrie top-scored with 20). I got out chasing a wide ball."

Poverty Bay lost opener Scott Tallott with the score at four and from then on wickets fell at regular intervals.

"Their bowlers were relentless; they just didn't give us anything," Hendrie said. "They bowled at a good pace, and they also had a good spinner (Jayden Lennox, 5-8 off eight overs). If we can learn anything from today it's that we need to play spin better."

"We're disappointed to lose but there's still a good vibe among the team," Hendrie said.

Hawke's Bay 136 (Bayley Wiggins 32; P Stewart 2-14, M Crampton 2-4) def Poverty Bay 58 (Nick Hendrie 20; Jayden Lennox 5-8, Liam Rukuwai 2-9) by 78 runs.