Cricket: Wiggins reveals ton of potential

It's never a pleasant feeling when a batsman carves up a century against your team, let alone an unbeaten one.

But when Heretaunga Building Society Cornwall No3 batsman Jayden Wiggins scored 122 not out on Sunday in a premier men's limited-overs match Ruahine Motors Central Hawke's Bay coach Colin Schaw had to do the right thing.

"I thought I had to phone you to tell you that I was impressed with Jayden Wiggins' hundred," Schaw said after the hosts crushed CHB by 156 runs at Cornwall Park, Hastings.

"I had young Jayden in my age-group rep teams. It's never nice to have anyone score a hundred against you but it's nice to see Jayden coming through," Schaw said of the 19-year-old whose maiden premier level century will no doubt be etched on to the club's honours board.

Wiggins carved up 18 boundaries and a six in his innings as Cornwall amassed 290-4 from 50 overs with No5 Jono Hall adding 50 and No7 Scott Brocklehurst unbeaten on 36.

CHB, who had Henry Hunter, captain Scott Schaw and brother Angus Schaw playing for Hawke's Bay senior men in the Hawke Cup-qualifying match, were guilty of erratic bowling, gifting 27 wides and nine no-balls from 46 extras.

In reply the visitors were skittled for 134 in 28 overs with No5 Adam Clarke top-scoring with 67 runs before John Jowsey trapped him lbw.

Spinner Hall was the chief destroyer, taking 4-15 from eight overs, including three maidens.

CHB veteran James Mackie was attending a wedding but all that should not detract from Wiggins' knock or Cornwall's win because the hosts also had the likes of Jacob Smith, Michael Tairaoa, wicketkeeper Seb Langridge and bowler Ben Jackett away with the Bay men.

A delighted Wiggins said every so often when the marquee players left for Hawke Cup duties, moving premier games to Sundays from Saturdays, it was a great opportunity for youngsters like him to make the most of it.

"I'm stoked. I certainly took my chances," the former Hastings Boys' High School cricketer said, enjoying his promotion up the order from No6, 7 or 8 positions.

His best score before Sunday was 48 runs against Havelock North in the previous cup round a fortnight ago.

Heading off next month to UCOL in Palmerston North to pursue a certificate in joinery, Wiggins' self-confidence in his batting received a boost after already establishing himself as a medium pacer with 6-12 against The Station Napier Old Boys' Marist in a 50-over match last summer.

"Well, I now see myself as a batsman who can bowl. Sunday's knock is proof, isn't it?"

In the other matches, Taradale CC pipped NOBM by three wickets at Nelson Park, Napier.

The hosts were restricted to 159-9 in 42 overs with Eddie Torr and James de Terte claiming 3-23 from 10 overs, including three maidens, and 3-25 from five overs, respectively.

Opener Ben Stoyanoff was also impressive with his 1-27 from 10 overs, including two maidens.

In reply, Taradale overhauled the target with 162-7 from 34.3 overs with No3 Callum Hewetson making 72 runs and opener Ronnie Chokununga adding 29.

NOBM's Sharmit claimed 4-40 from 10 overs, including two maidens.

On the adjacent No1 wicket, Complete Flooring Napier Technical Old Boys (NTOB) had a nail-biting 16-run victory over Havelock North CC.

Winning the toss, skipper George Diack must have briefly rued his decision to bat when NTOB found themselves six down for 40 runs before No8 Turangi Fraser top-scored with an unbeaten 67, No8 Jurgen Andersen added 31 and No9 Ruan Markram, 36, boosted the total.

The villagers were skittled for 199 with an over to spare.