Following two losses at the Brian Dunning One-Day Tournament, in Taupo, Northland finally hit the jackpot, winning their final game against Poverty Bay.
Team morale was boosted in time for the road trip home, with the team finally reaching its potential yesterday, stand-in skipper Tim Anderson said.
Anderson took over as captain
when Brett Hood broke his finger in Northland's first game of the tournament on Sunday. Ian Page took over the gloves for the remaining games, while Kaipara Flats' Kevin Forde was called into the batting line up.
Following losses to Waikato Valley and Bay of Plenty, Northland beat Poverty Bay by nine wickets.
The win was forged on the back of a good bowling performance, particularly from Rory Darkins - who took his first five-wicket bag for the provincial senior team - and Jake Phillips as they rolled Poverty Bay for 114.
Darkins claimed five wickets for 31 runs in his 10 overs, while Phillips finished his 10 overs with 3/19.
Northland went into bat determined to leave Taupo on a high note, and Richard Kaufman (30) opened the line up before being bowled by Craig Christophers. Fellow opener Andy McDowell remained at the crease for the entire innings, scoring 42.
No3 batsman Ian Page was run out for 31 and his brother Chris was the only other Northland player to bat, hitting a six to win the game 117-2.
While the team were pleased with the victory, overall Northland's effort at the tournament was disappointing, Anderson said.
"Our first game was a shocker, we batted very poorly and didn't give ourselves a chance to win it ... then against Bay of Plenty, again we bowled and fielded well ... but we didn't finish them off. We couldn't get the job done with the bat, but [yesterday], we played brilliantly.
"We finally played to our potential, but it was a bit too late."
Northland next play Hamilton on November 29, in a one-day game, at Cobham Oval.
