Comeback lifts cup hopes

They were prepared to fight hard, and that's what got us home.Mark Brown, selector-coach

"It was probably the toughest three hours of my life."

That's how selector-coach Mark Brown summed up Wairarapa's run chase in their Hawke Cup qualifying cricket match with Horowhenua-Kapiti at Paraparaumu on Sunday.

Needing 168 to earn themselves a Cup challenge against holders Hamilton in Hamilton next weekend, Wairarapa's first innings was almost in tatters at 60-5 but an unbeaten century by Matt Stringfellow, aided and abetted by a gutsy 37 by Robbie Spiers, paved the way for victory.

Brown described the 90-run sixth wicket partnership by Stringfellow and Spiers as "absolutely outstanding" and said it typified the resilience of the Wairarapa batting group when under pressure.

"We have talked a lot about players having to step up and take responsibility when things aren't going well and it was Matt and Robbie who did the job for us this time," he said. "We certainly had the backs to the wall when they got together but they were prepared to fight hard, and that's what got us home."

It's been a long time between drinks for Wairarapa when it comes to Hawke Cup challenges although they came close in 2008-09 when they missed out to Hawkes Bay on a countback.

They have, however, held the trophy which is the premier prize for the country's minor associations on three occasions, from 1920-21 to 1921-22, then again in 1950-51 and finally from 1976-77 to 1978-79 when they withstood seven challenges.

Wairarapa are scheduled to play Hamilton in Hamilton this Friday, Saturday and Sunday and there could be some interesting selection queries for Brown and assistant Brian James before the team heads north on Thursday.

It is likely they will be without first choice skipper Greg Todd who has Central Stags commitments but there is an outside chance that talented all-rounders Dean van Deventer and Peter Borren could be available. Along with Todd they were missing from the Paraparaumu match, van Deventer being in Canterbury and Borren in Holland where he captains the Dutch national side. Borren contacted Brown after Sunday's match and said he was prepared to make the long trip back.

Whatever the composition of the side, Wairarapa have every reason to be confident as they have already secured wins over Hawke's Bay, Manawatu and Taranaki this season.

"We know that if we play to our potential we can do it," Brown said.