After starting poorly, the Northland Junior Secondary Schoolboys team bounced back brilliantly to square the ledger against Counties Manukau in a double header at Papakura.
In the first game on Labour Day, Northland batted first and with many players facing their first balls out of the nets for the season, they were bundled out for 51. Only Sam Smith-Bell (13) achieved double figures. Despite good bowling from Matt Lobb and Shaun Beamish, Counties passed this meagre total quickly.
In the entertaining second game,
Counties posted 118-3 from their 20 overs. Good bowling from offspinner Aaron Ranara, well backed by medium pacers Lobb, Beamish and Jeremy Crawford, were not always well supported by the fielding.
Northland started their run chase positively and maintained the required run rate beautifully to achieve 119-3 with 10 balls to spare. Shannon Kloppers led the way with two big sixes in his 37 runs, before Josh Crawford (34no) and Chamodh Peiris (13no) combined in an unbeaten 46 run partnership. They proved the old adage that a succession of well run singles will always get a team close to the target, before Crawford finished the game in style with consecutive sixes.On a neighbouring pitch, the Northland JSS Development team scored 110 batting first. Kayleb Matthews, with 19, and Christian Nitsche (21) were the only significant contributors, although Connor Dyke and Harris Harding, by battling away for the last wicket, showed the application and determination that was needed from the rest.
Dylan Lynch, with 1 for 14 from his 10 overs, and Christian Nitsche (2 for 24 from 9) led the way with the bowling but there were never enough runs on the board to put real pressure on Counties, who passed the target three down with 15 overs to spare.At War Memorial Park in Manurewa, Northland Primary A took on their Counties opposites, winning the toss and electing to field. Counties were in big trouble at 59-6 at drinks. Outstanding fielding from Liam Wewege, with two run outs and an excellent catch, backed up strong performances by opening bowler Cullen Lowe (1-14) and left arm spinner Hamish Kidd (2-13). But the Counties tail added another 83 runs to finish at 141-8 from 40 overs. Northland let Counties off the hook by bowling 36 wides, which proved the difference.
Northland were quickly in trouble at 15-3 before Lewis Miller (13) and Hamish Kidd set about rebuilding the innings. At 77-4, they were on track before Kidd (27) was caught in the deep and the run rate began to rise. Sean West stood up with a mature 19no but ran out of partners and Northland were all out for 124 in the 38th over to give Counties a 17-run win.In the B team match at the same venue, Northland batted first, with all the batsmen struggling against a lively Counties seam attack. Joel Bickers was the only batsman to make double figures, hitting 16. Extras of 38 was a huge help to Northland, who were all out for 79 in the 28th over.
Regular wickets kept Northland in control and Counties looked gone at 43-7. Somehow they edged towards the target and needed just two to win before Jacques de Beer ripped out the stumps giving Northland a one-run victory.
A delighted team celebrated the first win by Northland B for a number of years. Bryn Williamson (2-18), de Beer (2-18), Connor Jones (2-14) and Jimmy Panoho (3-6) were the destroyers. Luke Trigg behind the stumps underlined his potential with a tidy display.