Rayner to play in Manawatu

It's official.
Wanganui's top cricketer Dominic Rayner will play his cricket in Manawatu from now on.
Rayner confirmed over the weekend that he's completed talks with Manawatu clubs and has settled on the Kia Toa-Freyberg combination captained/coached by former Canterbury cricketer JD Fulton.
Rayner has made the move to further his hopes of ultimately playing for Central Districts, and follows Rayner playing for Central Districts A alongside Kia Toa player and Manawatu opening batsman Luke Murray.
"I went to a few trainings over there towards the end of last season ? probably I should have gone over there and played last season," Rayner said.
Clearly there's little hope of improving his game in the deteriorating atmosphere of Wanganui cricket, but Rayner says the move is a hard one to make: "I've played for Wanganui since I was 10, so I've given them a pretty good go," said the 22-year-old.
The Manawatu rep squad training starts in July and their selectors have already been talking to Rayner and have asked him to attend.
"Whatever happens from there on is up to me, I suppose. It really wasn't going to help me staying in Wanganui ? it's not really strong enough now for me to get any better." Rayner has been playing senior cricket for Saracens since he was 16. Time's have changed.
"There used to be five men's senior club sides, all pretty strong, with a couple of rep players in each one. There wasn't much give in each team.
"Now there are three or four good players in each team and the rest are sort of there just to help out. Most of them don't go to training ? it's a bit of a shame, really." Rayner played five matches for Central Districts A last season, two three-dayers and three one-dayers.
"I managed a couple of wickets in each innings, but that's about all you can do on those flat decks in Christchurch." Rayner wants to concentrate on his batting during training this winter.
"I let it slip a bit last season, so I want to work on that a bit more than I have to."
Rayner was the chief organiser of Marton Saracens' senior team, and there are hints that former Wanganui captain Matt Beaven will join him in Palmerston North.
"I hope someone else will step in for Saracens, but there might be more go. We'll have to wait and see what happens." And that's not good news for Wanganui cricket, with the strong word being that probably only United is confident of fielding a senior club cricket side next season.
Marist is doubtful it can, Collegiate says it will stay with cricket in Wanganui as long as there is cricket here. Note: Time is short for Wanganui cricket. If anyone wants to comment on Rayner's decision, and the parlous Wanganui situation which has undoubtedly led to it, e-mail David.Ogilvie@wanganuichronicle.co.nz, jared.Dennis@wanganuichronicle.co.nz, or phone 349-0843 with your comments.