Cricket: Taranaki in box seat after Bay falter

Taranaki had a first-innings win over Hawke's Bay in New Plymouth yesterday.

Taranaki have got the edge from zone 2 to challenge Manawatu for the Hawke Cup after a first-innings win over Hawke's Bay in New Plymouth yesterday.

The Pay Excellence-sponsored Bay men won the toss at Pukekura Park on Saturday but were unable to dismiss the hosts cheaply as Taranaki patiently accumulated 229 all out from 78.1 overs.

In reply, the Stevie Smidt-captained Bay could muster only 156 from 77 overs before they were skittled, thanks to veteran bowler Jamie Watkins' 6-25.

Taranaki were 107-4 in their second dig from 26 overs to claim seven points.

"Hawke's Bay were just as keen to pull the plug ... so the seven points were very satisfying for us," Watkins said, mindful that Manawatu can afford to lose as cupholders but the second top qualifiers from the Central Districts region will earn challenging rights.

"We were 170 runs ahead and it wasn't enough to declare at that stage and there weren't enough overs left in the day."

Watkins said the Bay was always going to be their big game and they were aware that player/coach Mathew Sinclair, who scored a century against them in the Chapple Cup, wasn't available because he opted to join the TV commentary team covering the domestic T20 round in Napier.

"Skippy's [Sinclair] world class and has very high quality but you just play whoever's in front of you."

Watkins shared the accolades with his fellow bowlers, saying they did well as a unit to contain the Bay to about two runs an over through a crucial 79-over spell.

"We got the big wickets of Barney [Kieran Noema-Barnett] and Casey Rangi."

No4 Noema-Barnett, who CD Stags coach Heinrich Malan dumped last week before the T20 round at McLean Park, scored 47 runs while No5 Rangi top-scored with 61 in a dream rep season for a player who rose to an elite level from third-division men's club competition.

"We haven't beaten Hawke's Bay in Hawke Cup for three to four years so it was a huge win for us."

Watkins said the Pukekura Park wicket was only "okay" after recent wet weather.

"It was the first game on it this season and it was a bit slower and lower than it usually is." That was evident when batsmen were unable to score more than 61.

Watkins said a lot of work still had to be done in case the Bay beat Manawatu.