Red Star's redemption

Cricket

It was compensation of sorts for Red Star when they scored a convincing 111-run win over Wairarapa College in the final of the Wairarapa Cricket Association's Umpire's Cup limited-overs competition at Queen Elizabeth Park oval in Masterton on Sunday.

That was the message from skipper Joe Hull, who admitted afterwards that success in the Bidwill Cup two-day series had been the primary objective for his side in the 2013 season but, having fallen at the last hurdle there - losing the final to Flight Centre Lansdowne - after winning all their qualifying round matches outright, the taking out of the Umpire's Cup was the next best thing.

"It's nice to have won a trophy, I think the boys deserved it," Hull said.

"We were pretty gutted after the Bidwill Cup loss and this certainly helps to ease the pain a bit."

Making it through to the Umpire's Cup decider didn't come easily for Red Star though.

Their semifinal success over A1 Homes Kuranui Old Boys on the Saturday was a remarkable affair as, after slumping to 36-9 when they batted first, a stunning 113-run last wicket partnership between Aaron Wilson and Xavier McCluskey got them through to a respectable 149. And if that was not excitement enough, they again looked in trouble when Kuranui Old Boys reached 132-6 in reply only to lose their four remaining wickets for the addition of just six runs.

Sunday's final was a somewhat different story. Again Red Star batted first and with Troy Burling (35) and Nik Karaitiana (44) leading the way, they got through to a healthy 195.

Interestingly enough there were further handy contributions from Wilson and McCluskey at the bottom of the order, Wilson putting on a valuable 46 runs with Karaitiana and McCluskey being at the crease while 25 runs were added for the last wicket. The most successful of the Wairarapa College bowlers was Jack Wakeling, who showed admirable consistency in taking 4-42.

Wairarapa College would have been disappointed with their batting effort, being all out for 84. Rob Crump and Justin Herbert both made it into double figures but nobody looked comfortable against a Red Star attack led outstandingly by Sean Jarvis, who finished with the excellent figures of 5-15 off 6.2 overs.

This coming weekend will see the completion of the Twenty20 competition with the semifinals being played on the Saturday and the final on Sunday.

The semifinal draw has Red Star up against Greytown at Greytown and Lansdowne playing Kuranui Old Boys at Queen Elizabeth Park oval.