Cricket: Schaw exceptional on way to whacking century

Wicketkeeper Scott Schaw (centre) scored an unbeaten 100 runs. PHOTO/Duncan Brown

It was a memorable weekend for Scott Schaw in the final Hawke Cup match of the summer.

The Ruahine Motors CHB wicketkeeper/batsman scored 100 not out in the historic maiden game at the Forest Gate Domain in Ongaonga as the Hawke's Bay side flogged Wairarapa by an innings and 142 runs yesterday.

"I was feeling good with the bat in the last few weeks so I thought it was about time I got a 100 so it was a fitting comeback to do it in a Hawke Cup game at home.

"It was a pretty awesome feeling and there was great local support to get the job done," said the 23-year-old who was playing his fifth Hawke Cup match but was among the Bay casualties who Poverty Bay humiliated in the Kirk Cup (50-over) match in Gisborne early this summer.

Schaw scored 103 last summer against Wanganui and was coming off a 92 out against NOBM the previous Saturday.

"I'm not the best at converting 50s into 100s. I've got a few 90s."

The loss to Taranaki robbed the Bay of a challenge but big wins in the zone 2 Blair Furlong Cup qualifiers didn't mean much.

CHB seamer Blair Tickner, who took 6-38 from 14.1 overs, including four maidens, in the first innings often swung the ball to more than he would have liked to miss the bat.

Schaw said it was imperative the core of the team remained to ensure the young talent exposure against quality sides.