YOU can count on one hand the number of times an opposition can claim to have beaten Napier Technical Old Boys in any format of premier men's club cricket.
But how many of those can actually say they have thrashed the Texans lock, stock and ... mmm ... if the sponsorship fits, Big Barrel?
Heretaunga Building Society Cornwall can after they whipped Tech by 155 runs in their Property Brokers-sponsored 50-over competition match at Nelson Park, Napier, on Saturday.
So does that mean the power base in cricket has shifted from its axis because it doesn't revolve around Tech any more?
"It's a good result. It's always good to beat Tech because they're a strong side and it doesn't matter what sort of team they put out," said Cornwall seamer Liam Dudding who claimed a five-wicket bag as Tech were skittled for 86 in just 22.4 overs trying to eclipse Cornwall's handsome total of 241 in 49 overs after the visitors won the toss and padded up.
"I think other clubs are definitely getting stronger," Dudding said, believing the influx of overseas players and those from outside Hawke's Bay was raising the standard of the competitions.
Veteran George Diack was unbeaten on 25 at No 8 while No 10 Patrick Hurley was the only other batsman to get into doubles figures with 16.
For Cornwall, No 4 Casey Rangi top scored with 84, including 10 fours and three sixes.
Irish international import Graeme McCarter scored 45 at No 5 and Angus Smith fell a run shy of a half ton at No 6.
Cornwall and Bayleys Real Estate Havelock North are the front runners to etch their names on the MJF Shrimpton Memorial Cup after their much-anticipated match up at Anderson Park was washed out last month.
Dudding, a greater squad member of Central Districts Stags, said his hard work in winter was paying off as he had been hitting the right areas.
On Saturday, the right-arm fast bowler took 5-37 from 10 overs, including three maidens.
He still has his sights on the Stags so "when it comes I'll take the opportunity".
Havelock North beat Ruahine Motors Central Hawke's Bay by four wickets at the village park after the visitors won the toss and posted 157 runs but still had seven overs in hand.
Only wicketkeeper Scott Schaw, scoring 52 runs, had anything to talk about at the aftermatch drinks in the clubrooms while No 9 Charlie Robson was 19 not out.
Havelock skipper Kurt Richards took an outstanding 3-9 from eight overs, including three maidens, while spinner Bradley Schmulian was the next miserly one with 2-19 from nine overs.
In reply, no points for guessing who was the fulcrum for the hosts' innings of 158-6 in overhauling the target in 41.3 overs.
Yes, No 3 Schmulian who carved up an unbeaten patient 73 runs from 90 balls as batsmen came and went in a festive mood.
CHB spinner GC Pretorius took four scalps but will wonder why he and captain Angus Schaw couldn't dismiss their fellow Hawke Cup campaigner in pursuit of a CD call up.
"I can only score the runs against the bowlers I play against and today there was a very challenging spin attack from GC and Angus so it was very pleasing to bat through for a team win so I'm enjoying the environment," said the Aucklander who last week played for CD A against their Wellington counterparts in a rain-abandoned match in Masterton.
"I'm enjoying my bowling as well," said the bloke who is comfortably the highest run scorer in the format with 292 runs from four matches with Cornwall's Ben Wilson next on 180.
You Travel Taradale skipper Luke Kenworthy led by example in scoring an unbeaten 100 as they crushed The Station Napier Old Boys Marist by eight wickets.
The veteran scored 11 boundaries and three sixes from 95 balls with fellow opener Jason Trembath scoring 39 runs and before No 4 Dean Foxcroft's unbeaten 60 saw the hosts home for 205-2 in just 28.3 overs.