Wanganui junior cricketers tough game

The Ray White Wanganui Year 7 representative team was defeated by a strong Wairarapa team in a 44 run loss at Victoria Park on Sunday.

Sent into bat, the visitors made the most of the good conditions at the park to reach 150-3 after 25 overs, before Wanganui managed to peg them back to be all out for 203 from their 40-over innings.

There were tight bowling spells from Harry McVerry with 2-25 from his six overs, along with Matthew Hocquard (6-2-12-2), Levi Hoekstra (3-0-15-2) and top wicket taker Ollie Hutchins (3-0-25-3).

Wanganui opening batsman Henry Blackley (23) and Agnus Pearse (18) held off Wairarapa's bowlers to set up a platform for the in-form Bradley Hannegraaf (25) and Hocquard (37) to reel in the target.

However, the loss of three wickets in four balls saw Wanganui slump to 120-7 with victory looking unlikely.

Despite lower order cameos from Mcverry, whose straight drive was easily the shot of the day, and Hutchins, Wanganui were dismissed for 159.

The side showed good sportsmanship in lining up to congratulate the winning side and their coach.

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Meanwhile, it had been a better Saturday for representative players Matthew Hocquard, Henry Blackley, Bradley Hannegraaf and others as they were in the Huntley School team that beat Whanganui Intermediate by 10 wickets at Springvale Park.

WIS opted to bat first and set about scoring quickly through Carter Hobbs, who made a tidy 24 under being brilliantly caught by a flying Hannegraaf.

Liam Hall (30) and tidy contributions from James Hardy and Jonty Tripe saw WIS through to 127 off 28 overs.

Hocquard, Toby Craig and William Carpenter all took two wickets each, while Rory Trotter was very tight.

Huntley's openers Henry Blackley (44 retired) and Hocquard (52 retired) had the team most of the way up the mountain, before handing over to Monty Sherriff to blast the remaining runs.

Hannegraaf and Orlando Ratima were also major contributors.

The pick of the WIS bowling attack was pace bowler Josh Brunger and Tripe with his leg bowling

It was a game of strong rivalry, played in good spirit.