Finishing third equal was a fine result for Wairarapa at the recent Central Districts under-17 cricket tournament played in Napier. Two convincing wins over Horowhenua-Kapiti and Marlborough saw them bounce back after a narrow loss on a rain-shortened first day and they were on target for victory in their playoff matchwith Hawke's Bay when that game was abandoned, again because of rain. Openers Joe Beech and Anton Ross provided a solid start to Wairarapa's innings against Marlborough and the middle order also chipped in with quick runs. Major contributors were Robbie Anderson (22), Andy Dodd (32) and Doug Bracewell (61). Then came a superb bowling effort from Dean van Deventer.He rocked Marlborough by taking 8-23 off his 12 overs with four of his victims being clean bowled, one caught and bowled, one caught and two adjudged leg before wicket. It was a remarkable performance from the Rathkeale College student who will actually be eligible to play in the same tourney again next season. The openers again gave Wairarapa a good start against Horowhenua-Kapiti with Anton Ross making 50. Other handy scores came from Robbie Anderson (29), Andy Dodd (53) and Dean van Deventer (23). And again the Wairarapa attack guaranteed a comfortable win for their team with Doug Bracewell taking 3-26 off 12 overs, Dean van Deventer 3-32 off 12 overs, D.Fleming 1-17 off five overs and S.Jarvius 2-13 off six overs. Wairarapa had scored over 200 runs against Hawke's Bay when that game was called off.Openers Ross and Beech continued their steady form and middle order players, Robbie Anderson (27), Andy Dodd (37), Doug Bracewell (26) and Dean van Deventer (26) gave the innings further impetus. Three of the Wairarapa team, Andy Dodd, Doug Bracewell and Dean van Deventer, were selected in the Central Districts under-17 side, Dodd as captain. They were the stars of a side which benefitted immensely from the input of coach Deon van Deventer and manager Bunter Anderson.
