Chapple Cup opener a big ask

Wanganui Cricket. PHOTO/FILE

It was a rough wake-up call for the Active Physio Wanganui team at the start of the 2013-14 season as Manawatu came away with a resounding 142-run win in the opening game of the Chapple Cup in Napier yesterday.

Missing Nick Blundell from the bowling attack and coming into the game with light preparation, the team had a tough ask facing Manawatu first up at Nelson Park, and the mountain looked awfully high as the men in green rattled off 303-6 from their 50 overs.

Roald Badenhorst made the innings which turned the match, blasting 93 from 43 balls, while Mitchell Renwick added 71 and opener Dave Meiring set the ball rolling with 53.

Fraser Kinnerly took two wickets for 40 runs off his seven overs, while Henry Collier also got two scalps while conceding 60 from his full quota.

Newcomers Sam O'Leary (1-48-10) and Paul O'Callaghan (1-71-8) got the other wickets but no bowler could get on top of Manawatu.

In reply, Wanganui folded their tent at 161, Collier's 46 and player-coach Dominic Rayner's 38 in the rearguard being the only scores of note.

Phil Mecredy was not the quickest of left-arm fast bowlers, but he played enough havoc with Wanganui, finishing with 4-31.

Spinner Tarun Nethula also picked up 3-30 from his full 10 overs, while Bevan Small and Badenhorst also got wickets - a good day for the latter.

Wanganui was waiting for the last game to finish before finding out their opposition in the Caze Cup round today.