Mathieson leads Hawke's Bay to big win

A second day fightback by the Wanganui senior cricket team's middle order was not enough to prevent a heavy 10-wicket loss in their Hawke Cup match in Napier at the weekend.

The favoured Hawke's Bay team, which included returning Central Districts quick Andrew Mathieson being fresh off tearing up Otago in the Plunket Shield, blew Wanganui off the park for 79 all out on Saturday, chasing their solid effort of 252 first up.

Manager Andrew Lock said Mathieson was too sharp, as he picked up a five-wicket bag to go with his first ever first class five-for in Nelson against Otago.

The visitors' highest individual scores were 15 and 14, as the influence of Wanganui's own Central District representative Ben Smith was sorely missed.

Forced to follow on, the injury depleted Wanganui openers were back in the shed with only five more runs added by the day's close.

Earlier on a tough day, Hawke's Bay's 252 came on the back of opener Bronson Meehan's determined 109, made from 242 balls.

The next best batsman's return was 30, as Wanganui managed to get everyone around Meehan who kept playing through.

Dominic Rayner finished with 3-67 off his 18 overs, while Ross Kinnerley had 3-63 off 22 overs.

Mark Fraser (2-23-5), Trent Hemi (1-19-7) and Dominic Lock (1-30-9) were the other scalp collectors.

In a fight for survival yesterday, Wanganui at least made Hawke's Bay pad up again as they finished with 212.

Fraser top-scored with 79, combining with Rayner on 47 to bring a little respectability back into proceedings.

Lock also singled out Kinnerley for showing good fight in the lower order with 14 not out, while captain Andrew McCaa plugged away as best he could all weekend despite a hairline foot fracture.

Left with a target of 39, Hawkes Bay did not show the speed wobbles they experienced against Horowhenua-Kapiti as their openers picked off the meagre total.

Lock said the older Wanganui guys showed the youth brigade a little bit about batting under pressure.