How's that? HB indoor cricket side claim Big Little Tourney title

Hawke's Bay Indoor Cricket Club, NZ Big Little Tourney champions after their win in Wellington on Sunday. Photo / Supplied

Hawke's Bay Indoor Cricket Club have won the NZ Big Little Tourney - not bad for a side that has nowhere in its home region to play the "inside" form of the game.

It was third time lucky for the high performing side which lost in the decider of a Wellington tournament in June and dropped the Central Indoor Cricket Superleague final at the start of September.

But the 12 players coached by Mike Pawson and managed by Paul McCarthy put all that behind them with Sunday's 110-77 win over Hamilton in the last of 10 games played over three days.

Hawke's Bay Cricket Association CEO Craig Findlay said everyone was stoked they got over the hurdle, particularly after two losses to open the weekend.

"We managed to get through to the final and beat Hamilton, who are a very good club who have won national titles before," he said.

This year's nationals were set to be played in Auckland last weekend, however, once they were cancelled Wellington Indoor Sports stepped in and organised the NZ Big Little Tourney.

Hawke's Bay's result is all the more impressive given there is currently no facility in the region that can hold indoor cricket games.

The club are able to practise at Napier Tech's indoor facility which allows for net sessions and coaching, but is not set up for matches.

However, Findlay is hopeful of getting an indoor sports venue established at Austin St in Onekawa, Napier, up and running by the start of November, pending approval from the Napier City Council.

"It's exciting to have something back, it's only a one-court place but it'll be a high-spec quality venue," Findlay said.

And with eight of the tournament winning side 18 or younger, there's plenty to be excited about for the future:

"The coach of that Hamilton side is actually the coach of the New Zealand Under-22s so he had a good view of our young men," Findlay said.

"Everybody in the country knows that we've got a very talented group of players."

The players will be looking to kick on over the outdoor summer season as well, with the winter indoor competitions providing a potential head-start.

"It is a little bit of a different game, although very similar skillsets," said Findlay.