City beat Country despite 'ring-ins'

FINE LEGS: City captain Kerry McPhun shows his nimble styles to Country fielder Gerald Pearce at the annual Town v Country match on Saturday.

The Whanganui City Slickers have done it again and toppled their country cousins at the annual Town v Country cricket match in Maxwell.

Last Saturday was the fourth annual test hosted by Maxwell farmer Brodie Reid, so the record books now show it is two apiece. Country won the 2012 and 2013 clashes, while City now have back-to-back victories in the past two years.

City were sent into bat first - this time on a freshly mown wicket in a flat paddock for a change - setting a target of 132 runs for Country to chase for the win.

City captain, the aptly-named Kerry McPhun, said he felt it was a thoroughly defendable total even though accusing Country of fielding ring-ins.

Included in the Country X1 were former Wanganui Collegiate talented sportsmen Jack Hughes and Jamie Clarke, as well as current Collegiate student Josh Lennox, son of former Steelform Wanganui rugby coach Guy Lennox.

City's X1 had all the usual suspects, including a number of aging personnel and women.

"They do it every year and at one point it was looking like it might have worked for them," McPhun said.

"They were on 99 with five wickets in hand and 10 overs to chase down 132 for victory - it was looking touch and go."

That was until City unwittingly unleashed their secret weapon in the form of Mark "Smitty" Smith.

"Who would have thought, but there you go," McPhun mused.

"If I was a betting man Smitty wouldn't have been favourite to take out the MVP title. But he played out of his skin and just at the time we needed him. Smitty took three wickets for no runs from just two overs - absolutely magnificent.

"But hey, let's not forget the rest of the City team - all contributed to set up a win," McPhun said.

Country fell 12 runs short of their target.

Country captain Brodie Reid was too distraught to comment.