Cricket: Last gasp boundary clinches trophy

Tim King was profitable for City and took two wickets in the first innings. PHOTO/TANIA WHYTE

A winning chip from Simon Walker, down square leg for four runs off the penultimate ball, is what it took for City to get the job done in the NCA Reserve Grade 40-Over Competition final against Maungakaramea.

Nothing short of miraculous, the winning feat was influenced by the drive and determination of captain Ravi Maan who added 68 runs to his side's scoresheet just as desperation was setting in.

Difficult playing conditions hampered the City batsmen after losing the toss and being thrown in to field the first spell and bat second.

"It was really difficult," Maan said. "It was a slow outfield and not the greatest boundaries because you can't see them.

"We wanted to bat first but we had to change our plans, and in the end it worked for us."

Setting a tall total of 151 runs after finishing the first innings for the loss of five wickets, Maungakaramea were in excellent form with the bat.

With opener Tom Lovegrove and No4 Scott Harris both contributing 16 runs, Maungakaramea had the sense of a win in the air as they edged ahead.

Saving their best for last, Craig Gurr (49 not out) and Ian Wallace (21 not out) maintained a sturdy partnership to give their bowlers relief heading into the second stanza.

Doing their best to restrict the damage, City's Tim King (2-25), Jack Ingram (2-23), and Maan (1-17) threw plenty at the Maungakaramea batsmen.

In a perilous position after taking to the crease, City got off to a shaky start, losing opener Ashton Pattenden for 0.

However, it was Maan who helped build a platform for his players to work off.

"I hit my first ball for four which gave me the confidence to play on. I knew we had to dig in and make the runs."

With No3 Jake Serotsky managing 16 runs, 10 runs a piece from Derek Bon, Brad Lang and Stephen James were essential bonuses while their captain led from the front.

Dismissed by Wallace after being caught at mid-off, Maan's work was done but his impression on the match wasn't.

Playing down to the wire, a win was left in the hands of tail-enders Tim King and Simon Walker as the last over approached, and it was Walker's arrival at the crease and the actions which ensued that brought applause from those waiting in the wings with bated breath.

"We needed four off the last three balls and he hit a four," Maan said.

"Everyone was over the moon because it was our last game to finish the season. We were excited and everyone was screaming out loud.

"We were really happy because we haven't won the final since 2007. It was great to win against Maungakaramea at home."

Bagging three wickets, Maungakaramea's J Hutchinson did his best to repel the visitors, as did Wallace (2-17).

However, the 2016 honours went to City who departed with the trophy.

City's winning side:
Brad Lang, Simon Walker, Stephen James, Tim King, Jack Ingram, Paul Cleary, Derek Bon, Chris Pattenden (scorer), Ravi Maan (captain), Jake Serotsky, Surinder Dhiman, Ashton Pattenden, Barry Newton, Vaughan Witten.