Batsmen storm to victory

A Watsons Wanganui Under 13 batsman drives through the covers during a half century against Wairarapa at Victoria Park on Sunday. Photo/Supplied

Both the Watsons Wanganui Under 12 and U13 teams enjoyed big victories over Wairarapa at Victoria Park at the weekend, on the back of some strong individual batting performances.

The Under 13s' win by 80 runs came after a great fighting innings of 78 by Raemon Teki.

Put into bat, Wanganui made a comfortable start before losing Cameron Mackintosh (37) in the 11th over, which led to a slide as good slow bowling by Wairarapa had restricted the home side to 135-9 after 27 overs.

Enter Teki, who added 55 runs for the last wicket with Tom Dickson (14no) to take their team through to a very defendable 190 in the 35-over match.

Mackintosh then struck with the first ball of the Wairarapa innings and added a double wicket maiden in the seventh over to have Wairarapa in trouble at 22-3.

He would also take the last wicket to finish with figures of 4-17. Wairarapa never recovered in the face of some accurate bowling and aggressive fielding.

Captain Quinn Mailman was the next best bowler with 2-7, as the visitors succumbed on 107.

Conor Ingrams made two well-taken catches, which proved crucial.

The win means Wanganui U13 have won seven of nine completed games this summer.

The Under 12s were missing four regular players as the Hunterville team was away on a cricket tour, while the school has having orientation for their new students.

Coach Jason Clark told the side to build pressure by bowling a good length and forcing Wairarapa batsmen to take risks. It worked well as economical bowling offered up chances for run outs, with Ben Strang leading the way with a direct hit on the stumps while also being committed on the boundary.

Wanganui held the visitors to 117-8, with Conrad Slako taking 2-20 five overs, Joel Clark 1-12 off seven overs, including maidens off his first four, and Harry Godfrey 0-5 off four.

The bowlers and fielders having done their job, the batsmen took over as Wanganui waltzed through to 118-1 in the 17th over.

Levi Woolston (30no) and Sam Sherriff (retired 50) ran singles well and put the bad balls to the boundary.