Batsmen have an extra incentive to play a leading hand when matches in the Wairarapa Cricket Association's Umpire's Cup limited-overs competition continue tomorrow.
Selector-coach of the Wairarapa senior men's representative side, Sam Curtis, freely conceded after his team's mainly disappointing efforts at the Chapple Cup inter-provincial tournament in Hastings lastweekend that places in the top order in particular were still very much up for grabs.
In all three games played at the tourney Wairarapa were put on the back foot through losing early wickets with very few runs on the board and Curtis has made no secret of his desire to rectify that situation.
So it follows that batsmen who show the necessary application and run scoring capabilities this weekend will come into the reckoning for the Hawke Cup fixture with Manawatu in Masterton on November 10 and 11.
Kuranui Old Boys got their Umpire's Cup campaign off to a flying start with a win last Saturday and tomorrow they will take on Lansdowne at the Park Sportsground.
Another of the first-round winners in Turkey Red Greytown will play Wairarapa College at Wairarapa College while Rathkeale College will be at home to Newbolds Marist Old Boys.
