Before the game we spoke about how we wanted to do the basics right and how important it was that we worked together as a team. I am extremely proud to say that boys took everything we discussed on board today with both teams producing excellent performances. We will come across stronger sides than Western Districts but, we still need to work hard at our game to make sure that we play effectively and put these teams to the sword. This we did today and everyone contributed in some form or another. Well done to you all.
North Harbour Black
Having been beaten by this side a couple of weeks ago, there are a couple of ways that a team can react. Fortunately, North Harbour has the type of boys who know that they can do better and this was a particularly impressive performance. I have noted, in previous blogs, that the key to success lies in the strength of the team. We really proved this today with everyone giving their all in the field and in supporting their team mates.
The bowling was good although we did just lose a little focus after the drinks break and, if I was being hyper critical, I would still target the 18 wides and 9 no balls as an area that I would want us to work on. However, that aside, we seemed to take a wicket every 10 runs and at drinks we had them 68/6 but, like I said, the time after drinks is such a key period - you can either kill off the game or let them back in ... and we did the latter. Nothing dramatic but, at 82/8 it would have been nice to keep them under 100. Everyone bowled well and it was good to see Jake Skellern (2/11), and Connor Stuart (3/14) take wickets. As always, Angus Nicoll (1/27), Asher Rob (1/18) and Faisal (1/6) bowled with fire and brimstone - nothing better than quick bowlers charging in and hitting the deck hard.
We were left with a chase of 124 and Kit Freeman (15), Connor Stuart (24) and Kieran Seedal (26) did the majority of the damage - at 108/3 it left a little mopping up by the rest of the team with everyone doing what was asked of them. What was particularly impressive, was the way we were able to move things on - we did get bogged down but, just after the break we began to enjoy ourselves - like I said above, the break can be crucial and this time we used it to our favour and we finished the game off in the 25th over.
Once again a big thanks to Connor Stuart and Scott Gannaway for stepping in - both of whom have represented North Harbour a couple of times and have shown the strength in depth that North Harbour have. Scott Gannaway bowled and fielded very well but, did not get a chance to show his batting skills and Connor Stuart, as you will have read, had an excellent all round game - well done!
Western Districts B 124 All Out (Angus Nicoll 1/27, Faisal Ganchi 1/6, Asher Robb 1/18, Jake Skellern 2/11, Harry Bartlett 1/6, Connor Stuart 3/14) North Harbour Black 125/6 (Kit Freeman 15, Connor Stuart 24, Kieran Seedall 26)
North Harbour Black won by 4 wickets
The bowling was good although we did just lose a little focus after the drinks break and, if I was being hyper critical, I would still target the 18 wides and 9 no balls as an area that I would want us to work on. However, that aside, we seemed to take a wicket every 10 runs and at drinks we had them 68/6 but, like I said, the time after drinks is such a key period - you can either kill off the game or let them back in ... and we did the latter. Nothing dramatic but, at 82/8 it would have been nice to keep them under 100. Everyone bowled well and it was good to see Jake Skellern (2/11), and Connor Stuart (3/14) take wickets. As always, Angus Nicoll (1/27), Asher Rob (1/18) and Faisal (1/6) bowled with fire and brimstone - nothing better than quick bowlers charging in and hitting the deck hard.
We were left with a chase of 124 and Kit Freeman (15), Connor Stuart (24) and Kieran Seedal (26) did the majority of the damage - at 108/3 it left a little mopping up by the rest of the team with everyone doing what was asked of them. What was particularly impressive, was the way we were able to move things on - we did get bogged down but, just after the break we began to enjoy ourselves - like I said above, the break can be crucial and this time we used it to our favour and we finished the game off in the 25th over.
Once again a big thanks to Connor Stuart and Scott Gannaway for stepping in - both of whom have represented North Harbour a couple of times and have shown the strength in depth that North Harbour have. Scott Gannaway bowled and fielded very well but, did not get a chance to show his batting skills and Connor Stuart, as you will have read, had an excellent all round game - well done!
Western Districts B 124 All Out (Angus Nicoll 1/27, Faisal Ganchi 1/6, Asher Robb 1/18, Jake Skellern 2/11, Harry Bartlett 1/6, Connor Stuart 3/14) North Harbour Black 125/6 (Kit Freeman 15, Connor Stuart 24, Kieran Seedall 26)
North Harbour Black won by 4 wickets
North Harbour Burgundy
Batting first, having won the toss, Eru Hudson and Donald Coleman lead the team out with hopes of reaching the dizzy heights of 200 plus like our last game against Western Districts. This time it was not to be, they had strengthened their side and, had they not dropped so many catches, could have had us in a great deal more trouble. Eru was run out to a decision that I would have liked to have seen referred to the third umpire but, this is cricket and you are always going to get decisions that you don't agree with. Eru took it on the chin and to be fair the umpire was in a better position to see than we were. This meant that Chris Woodard was brought to the middle earlier than we would have liked. Chris has had good club form and for no real reason, struggled a bit at NH, so it was great to see him bat well and score a classy 24. At the other end Donald was peppering their fielders and made a useful 16 but, needs to learn to keep the ball on the ground.
Evan Cronje, similarly looking for NH form, and Steven Newey put on an excellent partnership and moved us to 84 before Evan (18) was bowled. After the departure of Evan and then Steven (25) we lost our way a bit and, credit to Western Districts, they really put the pressure on us. Our target total kept dropping ... 170 - 160 - 140 - 120!
Finally, we were turned over for 118 and we knew that we were going to have to bowl and field well. However, this is not a side that gives up easily and our strength throughout the season has been in this area. The boys did not disappoint! As is becoming our trademark, we put on a really spirited performance in the field. Right from the first ball we were on target and by drinks (17th over) they were 27/3. Everyone bowled well and the fielding was of the high standard that I have, almost, come to expect. At the end of the game, we had given away only 9 extras. It is difficult to single anyone out in particular but, Steven Newey and Chris Woodard both had double wicket maidens. However, the bowling figures were all outstanding and we bowled them out for 62.
I spoke to their coach afterwards and he talked about their missed chances, in particular early in our innings, but he had to admit that our bowling and fielding gave them absolutely nothing - they just could not get in to the game because we gave them nothing to hit.
North Harbour Burgundy 118 All Out (Donald Coleman 16, Chris Woodard 24, Steven Newey 25, Evan Cronje 18) Western Districts A 62 All Out (Oliver Peterson 1/12, Steven Newey 2/2, Max Lewis 1/14, Bronson Marshall 1/1, Jack Stevenson 1/14, Chris Woodard 2/0, Donald Coleman 1/4)
North Harbour won by 56 runs
Evan Cronje, similarly looking for NH form, and Steven Newey put on an excellent partnership and moved us to 84 before Evan (18) was bowled. After the departure of Evan and then Steven (25) we lost our way a bit and, credit to Western Districts, they really put the pressure on us. Our target total kept dropping ... 170 - 160 - 140 - 120!
Finally, we were turned over for 118 and we knew that we were going to have to bowl and field well. However, this is not a side that gives up easily and our strength throughout the season has been in this area. The boys did not disappoint! As is becoming our trademark, we put on a really spirited performance in the field. Right from the first ball we were on target and by drinks (17th over) they were 27/3. Everyone bowled well and the fielding was of the high standard that I have, almost, come to expect. At the end of the game, we had given away only 9 extras. It is difficult to single anyone out in particular but, Steven Newey and Chris Woodard both had double wicket maidens. However, the bowling figures were all outstanding and we bowled them out for 62.
I spoke to their coach afterwards and he talked about their missed chances, in particular early in our innings, but he had to admit that our bowling and fielding gave them absolutely nothing - they just could not get in to the game because we gave them nothing to hit.
North Harbour Burgundy 118 All Out (Donald Coleman 16, Chris Woodard 24, Steven Newey 25, Evan Cronje 18) Western Districts A 62 All Out (Oliver Peterson 1/12, Steven Newey 2/2, Max Lewis 1/14, Bronson Marshall 1/1, Jack Stevenson 1/14, Chris Woodard 2/0, Donald Coleman 1/4)
North Harbour won by 56 runs
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