Wanganui take on favourites

WINNING FORM: The Watsons Wanganui U15s are in top form at the CD tournament in Levin. The team is: Back row, Hayden Pudney (coach), Connor O'Leary, Charlie Greatbatch, James Pennefather, Mathew Simes, Quin Mailman, Raemon Teki, Mark Greatbatch (assistant coach). Front row, Tim Roebuck, Cameron Mackintosh, Harry Cave (capt), James Russell, Angus Dinwiddie, Blair Pudney and Ben Kelt.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

THE Wanganui under-15 cricket team are poised for a podium finish in the Central Districts age-group tournament in Levin.

The Watsons-sponsored side claimed the scalps of Taranaki and Horowhenua/Kapiti over the first two days of competition and were to meet pre-post favourites Manawatu yesterday.

That match went into the evening and beyond deadline for today's edition of the Chronicle.

However, if they beat a strong Manawatu last night, Wanganui would head straight to the two-day final beginning today. If beaten, they would play off for third and fourth.

Coach Hayden Pudney, however, has a secret weapon. His assistant coach for the tournament is former Black Cap Mark (Paddy) Greatbatch. Greatbatch has a strong affinity with this Wanganui side with son Charlie in the line-up.

Charlie Greatbatch has already made his mark on the scoreboard, nearly taking a hat trick with ball in hand against Horowhenua/Kapiti on Monday. He is also in the Cricket Wanganui academy XI.

"Mark Greatbatch has been helping us out and the boys are responding," Pudney said yesterday.

He said the lads had performed well in beating Taranaki by 100 runs and then clawing back a victory against Horowhenua/Kapiti.

"Chasing us, Taranaki missed by 100 runs and then Horowhenua/Kapiti set us a target of 94 on a very green wicket in the second round robin match and we reached 87. We then bowled them out in the second innings for 97, which left us a chase of 107 in 18 overs - we got with just four wickets down," Pudney said.

Pudney labelled Mathew Simes, Raemon Teki and Connor O'Leary as stars with the bat in the first two matches and James Pennefather and Greatbatch effective with ball in hand.

"We're in for a tough match against Manawatu today - they are a very strong side. But safely through that with a win and we're straight into the final," Pudney said yesterday.