Runs, precious runs, were the most valuable commodity for Active Physio Wanganui in the Chapple Cup one-day tournament in Napier over the weekend.
Against the other minor association teams from Central Districts and playing without key batsman Ben Smith, a number of players struggled gainfully to score and got pinned down under pressure, while the bowling and fielding was a mixed bag with a couple of notable exceptions.
Heavy losses to Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa were followed by an 80-run defeat to Horowhenua-Kapiti yesterday, despite bowling them out for 185.
Dion Sanson made the key score of 58 for Horowhenua, then Carter Andrews made a good cameo in the context of the match, hitting 18 quick runs with the tail to take them from 159-8 to something more defendable.
Sam O'Leary copped some of that stick after bowling very well to get the key middle order wickets, finishing with 4-62, while veteran Dominic Rayner took 2-9 coming in at the end for three overs.
Wanganui were already at a further disadvantage with captain Mark Fraser injured from Saturday, as local player Dominic Thompson filled in.
Wickets fell regularly as 42-4 became 82-8, with only opener Dominic Lock getting into the twenties, making 24.
The middle order was under the pump in all three games, and although there was a small wag in the tail yesterday with three players getting scores in the teens, the innings was done and dusted for 105 in the 28th over.
Horowhenua-Kapiti needed only four bowlers with Andrews getting 4-32 from his nine overs.
It was a familiar pattern for the weekend as all the batsmen struggled against the Hawke's Bay bowlers on Friday morning, eventually being bowled out for a paltry 93 in the 36th over.
Wanganui opened with Lock and vice-captain Morgan Inness, but they could only score 20 runs in the opening ten overs, with Lock falling in single figures after facing 43 balls.
English import Greg Smith was similar as he top scored with 15 runs off 46 deliveries, as the middle order could not lift the tempo while the tailenders, who with the Hardings - Nick and Hamish - along with wicket keeper Chris Sharrock, were unable to pull the team into triple figures.
Wanganui could not get a read on left-hand orthodox bowler Ajaz Patel, who got a stumping, two LBWs and clean bowled to finish with 4-10 from his four overs, including four maidens.
Christian Leopard opened with his medium pacers and took 2-10 from his five overs, with two maidens.
In reply, Wanganui's Ryan Slight made a bit of fight, getting two top order wickets as Hawke's Bay fell to 28-3, but opener and wicketkeeper Matt Edmondson carried his bat through, hitting four boundaries on the way to an unbeaten 55 as he and CD skipper Kruger van Wyk wrapped up the innings in the 18th over.
"It's disappointing to say the least," said Wanganui manager Justin Lock.
"Some guys have had reasonable stints but not been able to tick the scoreboard over."
It was the turn of the bowlers to take a pounding on Saturday against Wairarapa, who were fielding a stronger team than they will have for the Hawke Cup with the likes of allrounder Seth Rance and CD's biggest pickup for the season in big-hitting former Black Cap Jesse Ryder.
Wanganui started well as Travis Bartels picked up a caught behind on Brock Price in the second over and Henry Cameron was bowled by O'Leary.
Yet opener Gordon Reisima (45) carried on with Mason Hughes - top scoring with 90 from 107 balls, including ten boundaries and a six.
Paul Lyttle scored 66 at nearly a run a ball, while Ryder swatted a quick fire 35 from 23 balls and fortunately was run out by Fraser before he could really tee off.
Nick Harding got three wickets but was expensive, while Slight and O'Leary got two each as they went for nearly a run a ball.
Chasing an imposing 332, Wanganui collapsed to 14-3 as Lock, Inness and John McIlraith could not deliver, while leading hope Fraser dug in and was looking good with 62 from 65 balls, before disaster struck for his team as the skipper retired hurt with an injured achilles.
There was some fight in the tail as Sharrock, Hamish Harding and O'Leary all reached their 30s to take a hopeless looking 87-6 through to a competitive 237-9, but that still left them a good 95 runs short.
"Yesterday [Saturday] they got away on us a bit," said Justin Lock.
"It could be a little bit of an eye opener.
"A level up from club [cricket] they're just not used to."
Results
Wanganui 93 (G Smith 15, A Patel 4-10, C Leopard 2-10, A Schaw 2-6) lost to Hawkes Bay 94-3 (M Edmondson 55no, R Slight 2-14) by seven wickets.
Wairarapa 332 (M Hughes 90, P Lyttle 66, G Reisima 45, S Rance 40, N Harding 3-68) beat Wanganui 237-9 (M Fraser 62 retired hurt, H Harding 34, C Sharrock 32, S O'Leary 31no, H Cameron 4-53, S Hook-Sporry 2-32) by 95 runs.
Horowhenua-Kapiti 185 (D Sanson 58, M Good 36, S O'Leary 4-62, D Rayner 2-9, N Harding 2-29) bt Wanganui 105 (D Lock 24, C Andrews 4-32, L Dudders 4-47) by 80 runs.