Pre season BOP v Hawkes Bay

Posted: Tuesday, 24 October 2017

Pre- Season Match

There were plenty of positives to emerge from the Bay of Plenty Senior Men’s team pre-season hit-out against Hawkes Bay, played over Labour weekend (22/23 October 2017) – in spite of Bay of Plenty losing both Twenty 20 matches on Saturday.

Wet weather on Sunday, denied Bay of Plenty the chance to even the score at Fergusson Park and more importantly continue their preparation for the 2017/18 representative season

Bay of Plenty Coach Charles Williams was making no excuses for the T20 losses, however the lack of time on grass, against a side who won a CD representative match against Manawatu the previous week put the home side on the back foot.

“We are still very new to T20 cricket and having these games has given us a solid opportunity to look at a few plans and players, that we think are up to the ND T20 tournament in Taupo in December”, said the Bay of Plenty coach.

“I have put a huge amount of responsibility on Jono Boult with his (Northern Districts) experience. I have made no secret that I am still learning the ins and outs of playing and coaching twenty 20 cricket and to have someone of Jono’s calibre on board is fantastic for the team”. “He has really stepped up and relished the opportunity to lead the (T20) team, but also help the other players to develop their own games. While Jono will lead the side, other senior players in Joe Carter, Peter Drysdale and Tim Clarke all add maturity and leadership to the team”.

The major reason for the pre-season encounters with Hawkes Bay was to blood new players to senior representative cricket and give them time against quality opposition “Players such as Cam Riley and Christian MacDonald have come through the grades under the guidance of fantastic coaches such as Pete Swan. Two young spinners in Tim Pringle and Craig Baldry, had the opportunity to step up to senior rep cricket for the first time” said Williams.

“While the results were not what we were after, in terms of preparation, playing quality opposition on grass and in a format that is taking on a lot more importance this season has been invaluable”.

“We now look forward to our first ND Development game against long-time rivals Hamilton on the 5th November, with new coach Russell Williams in charge. A number of the weekend young players are likely to continue their development in the match, before the first Fergus Hickey Rosebowl game against Northland in Whangarei the following weekend”.

Bay of Plenty v Hawkes Bay Pre-Season – 22/23 October @ Fergusson Park
22 October T20
Game One: Hawkes Bay 193/5 (SD Schaw 80no: BR Hampton 2/35) defeated Bay of Plenty XI 107 (TJ Clarke 23, JJ Boult 20)
Game Two: Bay of Plenty 107 (JJ Boult 20) lost to Hawkes Bay 110/4 (CK Leopard 39: P Drysdale 2/4)

23 October 50 Over Game – no play due to wet weather.

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