Cricket: Taradale crowned 50-over champions as rain prevails

Taradale premier men cricketers celebrate retaining the 50-over MJF Shrimpton Memorial Cup in Napier today. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The persistent drizzle won but so did predictably Taradale in the Hawke's Bay premier men's club cricket final in Napier today.

"It just shows that the results of all the games in the season do matter," said jubilant captain Luke Kenworthy of the You Travel-sponsored side.

Kenworthy said the rain settled in and they had to be realistic about not playing the MJF Shrimpton Memorial Cup 50-over final at Nelson Park against Bayley's Real Estate Havelock North CC.

As top qualifers before the playoffs Taradale successfully defended the silverware because it is the last Saturday before winter codes kick in.

The Sean Davies-coached Taradale beat Ruahine Motors Central Hawke's Bay in the one-day Hawke's Bay Cricket Association final last summer.

"To go back to back is something that has never been done in the club since we started recording the stats so it's a pretty pleasing feeling and a good reward for the work the boys have put in throughout the season," said Kenworthy, mindful the format was more glamorous perhaps than the Twenty20 and 55-over formats.

Taradale have finished third overall this season, behind history-making champions Big Barrel Napier Technical Old Boys CC and Heretaunga Building Society Cornwall CC.

Kenworthy echoed the sentiments of HBCA chief executive Craig Findlay that despite a lengthy spell of aridity in the province it was quite remarkable games were not played because of rain.

"We had a couple of rained-out matches against them [Cornwall] and we also had a couple of rained-out games that we looked like we were going to win

"Today was the sixth game not played because of rain, which is unheard of really in Hawke's Bay and unbelievable."

The wicketkeeper said ironically "controlling the controllables", such as effort and endeavour, was the reason for today's accomplishment.

Kenworthy said the entire squad showed its dedication, especially after Christmas, to perform roles individually or as a collective.