Furlong Cup: Whanganui chase Hawke’s Bay scalp in title-defining clash

Ben Smith returns to action for Whanganui in this weekend's key clash against Hawke's Bay. Photo / Max Comrie Media

It’s been the best Furlong Cup season for Jurgens Demolition Whanganui in the 13 years of the competition, but this weekend represents the ultimate test for their dream to lift the silverware.

Pay Excellence Hawke’s Bay come to Tasman Tanning (Victoria) Park looking to continue their winning streak over the locals and overtake them on the points table to regain the Furlong for the right to a Hawke Cup challenge against Whitaker Civil Taranaki.

Hawke’s Bay have had a mortgage on both trophies until last year, having won the Furlong in five of the past seven seasons while holding the national Hawke Cup four times over the same period, with squads stacked with future CD Stags and Black Caps.

But this assignment is new – facing a hungry Whanganui team on a four-match winning streak – so after December victories over HMC Horowhenua-Kāpiti and Subway Manawatū, Hawke’s Bay must win this match as well as upcoming games with Taranaki (January 17) and WBS Wairarapa (January 24) to finish on top.

Therefore, Whanganui’s destiny is in their own hands on Saturday and they have knuckled down after the holiday break by adding an extra training session this week.

“We’ve got an opportunity to beat them, but everyone’s got to stand up and play well and that’s what we’ve done all season,” said coach Warren Marr.

“There’s only been one honours board performance – that’s Tom [Dempster]’s hundred – but we’re four out of four.

“That means every single person in our whole squad, 18 players, has contributed, and that’s the strength of our squad at the moment and I’m expecting everyone to contribute this weekend.

“We’re going to have to get 350, if you don’t get 350 against Hawke’s Bay you don’t give yourself an opportunity.

“A big ask, but that squad, we can do it. The group’s hung together all season.

“It’s all about creating pressure and that’s what we’ve got to be able to do.

“We have at times against Hawke’s Bay, but not over a long period of time.

“Their Super Smash players will be out, but their four-day cricketers will be back, like Brad Schmulian and guys like that.

“Pressure counts, doesn’t matter how good a player you are, if you can create pressure then we can pick wickets up.”

After they were rested for CD’s Twenty20 Chapple Cup tournament on the weekend before Christmas, Whanganui’s senior playing group of Tom Dempster, Ben Smith and Connor O’Leary as well as Stags player Oscar Mabin return for this decisive fixture.

Joining them will be veteran swing bowler Ross Kinnerley, who was not available for the away representative games this campaign but took four wickets in the season-opener against Horowhenua-Kāpiti.

“He’s been training anyway and he’s been bowling. He’s the best bowler in town, so you pick Rosco,” said Marr.

“It’s the best side we could pick other than Dogger.”

Dogger – veteran Mark Fraser – is overseas this weekend, so promising young batsman Nick Burroughs holds a spot, while Connor Rees will take back the keeping gloves.

As well as a strengthened top order with Dempster and Smith, Whanganui’s bowling attack should be well balanced with the pace of Kinnerley, Mabin and the O’Learys in Connor and Shaun, and then the spin of Hadleigh O’Leary and Aidan Muir.

Cricket Whanganui general manager Pete Bowman is urging the community to get to the park for what promises to be a great weekend of cricket.

“We’d love to see as many people as possible down at Vic supporting the team.

“There’ll be a great atmosphere with Bowls Bites and Brews, and Ice Queen confirmed on site for food, and the bar open from 2pm on both days.

“It’s a brilliant chance for the community to come together, enjoy some quality cricket and get right behind our boys.”

Play starts at 10.30am Saturday.

The Whanganui team is:

Nick Burroughs, Nick Harding, Tom Dempster, Ben Smith, Connor Rees, Shaun O’Leary, Oscar Mabin, Hadleigh O’Leary, Carter Hobbs, Ross Kinnerley, Connor O’Leary, Aidan Muir