Cricket: Hot shot Rumble makes his presence felt

Rotorua youngster Bradley Rumble may not be a household name but the cricketing youngster is living up to his last name and causing a stir in the right places.

The 10-year-old was part of one of the four Rotorua age group teams who won their games in the annual HRV Cup day clash against Western Bay of Plenty in Rotorua earlier this week.

It's no mean feat considering in the nine-year history of the event Rotorua hasn't won a game.

Bradley, a Westbrook Primary School pupil who scored 41, combined with teammate Tahu Watson (36) in a brilliant 81 partnership to help his Year 6 side secure a win against their Western Bay of Plenty opponents.

Western Bay scored 208/6 in their innings with the Rotorua side chasing the total down for the loss of eight wickets.

The youngster, who is a right-handed fast bowler, likes to bat left-handed. He combined with 11-year-old Tahu, a right-handed batsman, and dazzled their opponents.

Although Bradley's batting style is flamboyant and aggressive like his cricketing hero, Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum, he didn't try mimicking his idle.

"It's my own style. I like to hit the ball and hit it hard."

With Bradley's attacking style and Tahu's classical orthodox play, the pair were deadly.

Tahu, who attends Makoia Intermediate, has adapted well to playing cricket. "I only started this year, I used to play touch but now I'm really liking cricket."

The young Ngai Tahu descendant said he would like to one day play cricket professionally.

Bradley and Tahu weren't the only standouts in the Rotorua side. Rotorua bowler Jack Irwin was unplayable for the Year 9/10 team, taking three wickets in two overs. Another standout was Ben Astwood for Year 6, who was breathtaking in the field and Year 8 batsman Dilan Nanayakkara scored a fantastic 117 in his side's win.

Rotorua Cricket Association development officer Dave Richardson said he was proud of all the youngsters involved.

He said it wouldn't have been possible to have the success the sides had without the help of the players' parents who had supported the team during their training sessions leading up to the event.

Richardson said the wins showed that the city's age group cricket was starting to produce some class cricketers which would, in the long-term, be seen the right up to senior cricket.

Scoreboards

Year 9/10:

Rotorua 178 (F Gous 41, b Munro 40, C Powley 17 not out. Bowling; S Ingram 1/11, J Irwin 4/28, L Murdoch 2/14, D Hinga 1/22) beat Western Bay 163

Year 8:

Rotorua 290 (D Nanayakkara 117, L Hori-Clark 61, H Watts 25)

Year 7:

Rotorua 174/9 (R Macken 42 not out, R Thornton 28, C Milne 15. Bowling; R Green, B Wiggins, I Raimona, M Dender all took one wicket) beat Western Bay 171/6

Year 6:

Rotorua 210/8 (B Rumble 41, T Watson 36, B Astwood 16, J Morley 20. Bowling; H Hill 2/13) beat Western Bay 208/6.