Unprecedented development

Blake Hoskins (WIS) sends one down to Huntley batter Mathew Hocquard during the Intermediate Cup tournament over the weekend. PHOTO/Pete Russell

Huntley School has taken full advantage of the very existence of the annual Pak 'n' Save Intermediate Cup development competition to claim a hat trick during the two day cricket event.

The main purpose of the event is the development of middle school cricket and also to find a winner to represent Whanganui at the Central Districts finals next week designed to find the side to represent the region at the nationals in Christchurch in December.

The two-day Intermediate Cup development tournament was held at Huntley School in Marton and on the Tasman Tanning pitches at Victoria Park in Whanganui where combined intermediates (Westmere, Fordell and Hunterville) joined St George's, Huntley and Whanganui Intermediate School in a round robin T20 format culminating in a finals on Sunday afternoon.

"The primary outcome of the weekend was to provide a four game environment for our young cricketers to develop their skills over a block period," Cricket Wanganui manager Dilan Raj said.

"Basically, we had four weeks of cricket rolled into two days. The secondary reason for the tournament was to find a winner to represent Whanganui at the CD finals. The winner of that will lead to Christchurch to compete for the Primary Cup."

Huntley's development in the Intermediate Cup competition is unprecented.

They were the defending champions having won it in 2016 and 2015. Winning the 2017 edition produced the hat trick and will see them going to Christchurch in December.
Raj said each team developed over their four games at the weekend with Huntley and WIS reaching the finals.

"Both the WIS and Huntley games were very competitive, but Huntley, as defending champions, had the edge over WIS in both their games. It is pleasing to see the development and rise of St George's on the cricketing front with the likes of Tom Wilkinson-Smith showing good skills in both batting and bowling," Raj said.

"Carter Hobbs and Blake Hoskins had some outstanding batting partnerships for WIS throughout the tournament as did Harvey Meyer and Mathew Hocquard for Huntley. Fred McVerry and Hocquard consistently did the damage with the ball for Huntley."

Huntley won the contest by 31 runs.

Scorecard:
Huntley
95/6 off 20 overs
H Meyer 34, M Hocquard 25
C. Meredith 2/19, B Hoskins 2/15
WIS 64 all out
M Hocquard 3/15, H Meyer 3/6
Huntley progresses through to the CD finals on March 31.

Meanwhile, Carter Hobbs won Pak 'n' Save and McDonald's vouchers for scoring the most runs as did Mathew Hocquard for most wickets. Most improved players nominated by their coaches received a fantastic gift hamper. They were Monty Sherriff (Huntley), (WIS), Lachlan Tait (ST George's) and (Combined Intermediate).

The coaches were recognised for their contribution to their teams as well as cricket in general by Pak 'n' Save vouchers and McDonald's family vouchers.

"With a number of Year 7s in this year's tournament, next year should be of a similar standard with an increase in junior hardball and Kiwi cricket numbers. Cricket is becoming popular again as parents start realising the value of our number one summer sport in developing young minds and modelling good social behaviour through hard work, discipline, leadership, team work and resilience," Raj said.

Played over a full day also teaches patience - one of life's most important virtues.

"An event such as this can only go ahead because of our generous sponsors. Pak 'n' Save and McDonald's provided a very generous prize table. Ray White, Bullocks and Tasman Tanning having provided support around this age group, both in terms of resourcing and preparing the fields. Sponsors such as these are greatly appreciated and allows our youth to have a valuable playing experience and develop as people through sport.

"A big thank you must also to the Cricket Wanganui Umpires Association for providing umpires throughout the weekend."