Bay Of Plenty Loose First Innings Points To Hamilton At The Tauranga Domain

Posted: Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Fergus Hickey Rosebowl

Bay of Plenty could only rue letting long-time rivals Hamilton off the hook in the Waikato sides turn at bat, in their ND Fergus Hickey Rosebowl match, played at the Tauranga Domain over the weekend (17/18 February 2018).

Hamilton won the toss and elected to bat, with the Bay of Plenty bowlers grabbing the first two wickets, with just five runs on the board. Later in the day, the home side bowlers looked to be in charge, having the Waikato visitors nine down for 180 runs. However, a 10th wicket partnership between Brook Hatwell and number eleven batsman Cooper Rowell produced 98 runs, before Hamilton were finally removed for 278.

Long-time Hamilton representative Brook Hatwell, anchored his sides total with a big century. He was eventually removed by a Ben Musgrave catch of the bowling of Tim Pringle, for 142. Rowell, who played a big support role in the tenth wicket stand, ended his turn at bat with an unbeaten 26 runs.

Bay of Plenty coach Charles Williams said "We were obviously disappointed with result, but more disappointed in the way that we played. Having Hamilton 180/9 after a solid effort from our bowlers and then letting them through to 278, took the ascendancy away from our hands to give our opponents the advantage that they used when they bowled".

The Bay of Plenty innings, was characterised by the coming and going of their batsmen, as the home side were removed for just 130 to hand the visitor’s first innings points. “Hamilton had shown us the correct way to play on that wicket, but we failed to capitalise on the information”. “Bharat Popli and towards the end Jono Boult, knuckled down and showed aptitude and patience but it was too late to pull back the deficit".

Bay of Plenty were then asked to follow on and had reached 52/2, when the match concluded after tea on day two.

One shining light in the Bay of Plenty innings, was Bharat Popli passing the three thousand run mark, to become only the second Bay batsman after Mike Wright to post 3000 runs in the Bay of Plenty uniform.

“The side was hurting in the dressing room after the game. We talked about learning from our mistakes and past performances and that includes myself as coach as well”. “We are now focused our last Fergus Hickey game of the season, in two weeks time against Waikato Valley, who have been a massive improver in the last couple of seasons. They are a genuinely good side that will again put us under pressure”. “It shows the level of Fergus Hickey cricket and how focused you have to be in every game” said Coach Williams.

Fergus Hickey Rosebowl 17-18 February 2018 @ Tauranga Domain

Hamilton 278 (B Hatwell 142, K Bettley 38, C Rowell 26no; SB Davey 3/59, JJ Boult 3/61)

Bay of Plenty 130 (B Popli 49; B Morris-Brown 3/20) & 52/2 (B Popli 20no)

Result: Hamilton took first innings points

BOPCA Representative Milestones (3000 Runs)

3950 - Mike Wright, 3064 - Bharat Popli

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