Active Physio Wanganui coach Warren Marr was pleased his underdog team made Taranaki fight till the penultimate delivery before they took first-innings points in the Hawke Cup campaign opener at Pukekura Park on Sunday.
After play was rained out on Saturday, Wanganui batted first on a very green pitch which was a pacer's paradise, and fought their way to 178 in 80 overs.
Playing for time, it was nearly enough to hold off Taranaki, who just reached 182-7 off the second-to-last delivery of match.
Wicket keeper Jackson Braddock-Pajo (13 not out from seven balls) reached down to hit Akash Gill over the top for a boundary.
Marr said it was a shame for Gill, who had been excellent with 3-48 in his 14 overs.
"Last over, they needed five to win and we needed three wickets.
"They didn't look like hitting a four because we set the field well at that stage. We took it deep."
Taranaki were 76-2 with 26 overs remaining, with James McDougall then looking to put the matter to rest with 40 from 31 balls.
However, Gill had him caught behind, then Sam Fastier (26 from 54) and Kaylum Boshier (39 from 55) were moving them slowly towards the target before Wanganui captain Simon Badger (3-49) had them both.
Badger then took a catch off Gill to dismiss Ryan Watson for a duck - exposing the tail with time running out.
Partnered with captain Mattie Thomas, Braddock-Pajo held his nerve to see his team past Wanganui's total.
Wanganui's six bowlers contested everything, with Ross Kinnerley (1-28) picking up the other scalp, while young debutant Angus Dinwiddie (0-20) did not look out of place.
Again, Wanganui had not posted a big score, but Marr pointed out it was not that kind of pitch with survival being the key.
All of the eleven batsmen showed guts, putting their bodies on the line of the ball, and weathered the storm for 80 overs, he said.
"Some of my top order are black and blue, and that's all I can ask for. It was difficult conditions."
Wanganui will face Wairarapa in a fortnight, and Marr said there will be changes as Badger will not be available due to a prior commitment that weekend.
Veteran Dominic Rayner has just returned from overseas and rejoined the training group, while Marr will see who is in form during the final round of the Porter Hire Premier 1 league competition this weekend.
Mathematically, Property Brokers United are likely to have already sewn the title up with their undefeated record, having the bye this weekend while Collegiate and Marist will look to finish strongly when they play Matt Burke Engineering Marton Saracens and St Johns Tech respectively.
Scoreboard
Wanganui 1st Innings
J McIlraith ct H McIntyre b T Williams 4
C Coker ct J McDougall b M Thomas 32
D Lock ct D Robinson b T McDougall 9
G Smith ct K Boshier b T Williams 21
M Fraser ct J McDougall b T Williams 3
S Badger ct J McDougall b T Williams 27
A Dinwiddie lbw b T McDougall 4
N Harding ct H McIntyre b R Watson 5
A Gill ct J Braddock-Pajo b T Williams 35
C Sharrock st J Braddock-Pajo b M Thomas 10
R Kinnerley not out 6
Extras: 22
Total 178 (77.5 overs).
Bowling: Tom McDougall 19 overs, 5 maidens, 34 runs, 2 wickets; T Williams 19.5-4-43-5; R Watson 13-3-50-1; H McIntyre 7-3-11-0; M Thomas 19-9-33-2.
Taranaki 1st Innings
R Fleming ct G Smith b R Kinnerley 29
D Robinson ct G Smith b A Gill 7
L Muggeridge lbw b S Badger 16
J McDougall ct C Sharrock b A Gill 40
S Fastier lbw b S Badger 26
K Boshier ct C Sharrock b S Badger 39
R Watson ct S Badger b A Gill 0
J Braddock-Pajo not out 13
M Thomas not out 3
Extras: 9
Total: 182-7 (49.5 overs).
Bowling: A Gill 13.5-2-48-3; S Badger 10-2-49-3; R Kinnerley 11-3-28-1; C O'Leary 4-0-21-0; N Harding 5-3-8-0; A Dinwiddie 6-0-20-0.
Result: Match drawn, Taranaki take first innings points.