Cricket: Wairarapa coach proud of final effort

OVER ARM: Wairarapa couldn't match it with Hawke's Bay despite Kate Sims taking four wickets for 25 runs, including that of top scorer Sophie Pyott (right) yesterday.PHOTOS/BEVAN CONLEY

Victory for Wairarapa was impossible with six ducks and single figures in the batting innings against regional women's under-18 cricket tournament winners Hawke's Bay in Whanganui yesterday.

Hawke's Bay had thoroughly earned their finals berth at Victoria Park going through the competition unbeaten, while tournament debutantes Wairarapa sneaked in with a superior run rate over St Albans from Christchurch. Both sides had three wins and two losses.

On Tasman Tanning ground one, Hawke's Bay set Wairarapa an achievable 139/9 target with second drop Sophie Pyott top scoring for the Bay with 45 runs.

Wairarapa medium pacer Kate Sims had a handy day with ball in hand taking four wickets for just 25 runs off her six overs, including the scalp of Pyott.

However, the second innings was almost over before it began.

Wairarapa captain Gemma Sims opened, but was quickly claimed by Maggie Pedersen for nine. The rot then set in with the next four wickets going for ducks until the arrival of Kate Sims who unfortunately could only managed two runs before being bowled by Cate Pedersen.

The next two went for ducks followed by a single, three runs and a final single to bundle Wairarapa all out for 30 runs after 12.4 overs. Extras top scored at 14.

One of the stars of the tournament, however, had to be Rosemary Mair who showed why she was a Central Districts Hind when she took seven wickets for 11 runs.

Wairarapa coach Simon Roseingrave, who is also cricket development officer for the district, said his girls could still hold their heads high.

"To make the final exceeded our expectations in our first time in this competition. Rosemary Mair bowled fantastically. She is a CD Hind and it showed today, but I have told our girls to hold their heads high," Roseingrave said.

In the playoff for third and fourth Taranaki set St Albans a chase of 170 after chalking up 169 runs for four wickets in 30 overs.

Central Districts' under-21 player Monique Rees had a tremendous day with the bat scoring 95 from 87 deliveries before being caught by Claudia Green from a Hayley Schimanski bowl. Taranaki opener Amy Foreman was the only other to make double figures with 30.

St Albans struggled to reach their target and were all out for less than 80 runs.

Whanganui fell 36 runs short of fifth spot, going down to Manawatu.

Manawatu sent Whanganui a formidable chase after scoring 192/6 with opener Olivia West scoring 63 off 67 balls. Best of the Whanganui bowlers was Libby Schimanski who claimed two scalps, including West, for 15 runs off four overs.

Whanganui were all out for 157 for the loss of eight wickets after 30 overs with Player of the Tournament Jess Watkin top scoring with 58 runs.

On Thursday afternoon Whanganui had beaten Manawatu convincingly with Watkin scoring a magnificent 189 not out in the 30 overs. The captain and CD Hind ended the tournament with two centuries and two 50s after going for a duck from the first ball she faced in the competition.