Cricket: Wanganui's afternoon of survival with Taranaki

James McDougall trying to hit Wanganui bowler Angus Dinwiddie out of the attack during Taranaki's blasting second innings at Victoria Park yesterday.

Treadwell Gordon Cricket Wanganui were in a desperate fight to climb an ever steepening mountain as Taranaki's strong play on the second day of their Furlong Cup match left a tough target at Victoria Park this Sunday evening.

Wanganui and Taranaki had traded the game's momentum session by session at the weekend, but just like four years ago on the same ground, a rapid fire blast in the second innings by the visitor's veteran batsmen Peter Ingram and Dean Robinson set up an inviting but dangerous tactical declaration.

Wanganui with their young pace attack were in control of the morning session on Saturday, getting the prize wicket of Ingram for 14 and taking out the top order - with the exception of the steadfast Robinson - to be 81-4, which soon became five wickets when Ross Kinnerley (3-47) produced a swinging yorker to blow Liam Muggeridge's middle stump out of the ground.

However, Robinson would not be moved and still scored well enough on a good track, as it became clear Wanganui were missing a key spinner to handle the middle portion of the innings, despite the best efforts of part-timer Trey Bidois, who took 2-44 from eight overs.

Captain Simon Badger (4-91) was in excellent nick from his 21 overs, but as the ball got older, Robinson eventually found another anchor in captain Mattie Thomas, who stayed with him for a 100 run partnership to take Taranaki out of the doldrums at seven down in the 160's through to 268.

Robinson finally fell for 130 off 238 balls, with 24 boundaries and one six, while Thomas batted on with the tail to finish unbeaten on 52 and guide his team to a nice, round 300-9 declared.

Wanganui to their credit were not discouraged and despite losing their latest opening partnership experiment in Greg Smith and Thomas Walshe for less than a handful of runs, while Kinnerley also came and went, schoolboys Trey Bidois (61) and Matthew Simes guided the team through to 107-3 at the close of play.

Needing less than 200 with seven wickets in hand for first innings points was great cause for optimism yesterday morning, however Bidois could not add to his overnight score and Simes was dimissed not long after for 35.

Badger (49) looked to guide his team past the mark with Fraser (27) and then non-fielding batsman John McIlraith (29), as Wanganui were now 70 short with three wickets still in hand.

However, the skipper got trapped leg before not long after McIlraith's dismissal, with Angus Dinwiddie and Chris Stewart not troubling the scorers for Wanganui to finish well short at 235.

The Taranaki attack shared the honours amongst Thomas (3-45), dangerous paceman Ryan Watson (3-51) and Callum Stuart (3-56).

It showed in the comments of coach Warren Marr how Wanganui now expects a higher standard of themselves despite having been competitive to this point.

"It started yesterday [Saturday] with our bowling, we just didn't get enough balls in the right areas. Even when we were doing well," Marr said.

"We could have been chasing 220. They got the big partnership."

Last November, Wanganui could get away with not having a top line spinner due to rain-affected games on green pitches, but not this summer.

"A more balanced bowling attack on these surfaces, which are batter friendly," said Marr.

"A four-ball an over is just not good enough at this level. It's a missed opportunity for us."

Ingram and promoted opener Robinson knew the score as the two immediately looked to attack Badger and Kinnerley, scoring at a run a ball as the former Black Cap Ingram used his wrists to flick anything full but wide off his pads, before hitting Kinnerley for a towering six that landed on top of the Victoria Park pavilion roof.

He eventually fell for 38, while Robinson completed a fine weekend with 60 from 53 balls, which then allowed Kaylum Boshier to go wild with 43 from 26 balls, including two sixes and four boundaries.

Wanganui struck back to dismiss the middle order cheaply, with Angus Dinwiddie (2-23) and Bidois (2-25) getting scalps for their high runs conceded as Taranaki gave up plenty of catches.

But at 177-7 off just 24 overs, the damage was done.

Taranaki dangled the carrot, setting Wanganui 243 to win, and at press time they were struggling at 79-5.

Walshe fell quickly again while this time Bidois was dismissed for a duck, with Kinnerley having reached the 20's.

Scoreboard

Taranaki 1st innings
300-9 dec of 82 overs (D Robinson 130, M Thomas 52no; S Badger 4-91, R Kinnerley 3-47, T Bidois 2-44).

Wanganui 1st innings
235 off 61.1 overs (T Bidois 61, S Badger 49, M Simes 35; M Thomas 3-45, R Watson 3-51, C Stuart 3-56).

Taranaki 2nd innings
177-7 dec off 24 overs (D Robinson 60, K Boshier 43, P Ingram 38; A Dinwiddie 2-23, T Bidois 2-25).

Wanganui 2nd innings
79-5 with target of 243 to win.