Leuthart Leads Lynmouth Lads
Heading in to the final round of the one-day competition our Premier side were sitting one point clear at the top of the table just ahead of NPOB (that lead could have been greater but unfortunately the week earlier Inglewood’s pitch was deemed unsafe to play on so the game was called off and the points shared, much to the delight of the Inglewood outfit who appeared reasonably happy with this result), so the lads had a simple task this week of securing the win to ensure they qualified in the top two, which they did handsomely.
FDMC won the toss and elected to bat first on what was a green, but very hard Lynmouth wicket. Club veterans, Josh Barrett and Jarred Cunningham opened the bowling and kept things tight at the top getting through the first 11 overs collectively with a return of 1 for 22.
Kurt Leuthart was then introduced in to the attack from the pavilion end where he quickly got stuck in to his work. Leuthart rumbled through his 10 overs exercising exceptional flight, turn, bounce and guile ripping the heart out of the batting order including key wickets Matt Allen & Quin Sorenesen who is on loan to FDMC for the season. Leuthart ended his 10 overs with 4-30.
We later spoke to “Pup” who was relatively pleased with his effort. “Yea look, that’s probably the best it’s come out for a while. I was really focussed on just revving the $hit out of the nurry and landing it in the right area and I did just that. I’m coming for you Blanksy”.
Robson Chapman was his usual consistent self and niggled away with exceptional line and length to keep things tight but unfortunately, yet again, went without recognition.
Michael Kerr also made his first appearance for the season and for a man who has had no training (or food by the looks) all winter, he bowled well picking up a couple of wickets too.
FDMC were all bowled out for 90, which the lads thought should be achievable even without our 5 rep players to call upon.
Leuthart again lead the way with the bat with a well compiled 25 and was supported by Robson Chapman who also scored 25. A win to our premier side by 5 wickets meaning our NPMUCC premier side qualify top of the table and earn themselves a home semi-final.
In the other games, the match of the round without question was the NPBHS vs Woodleigh game with the winner gaining the 4th spot and a semi-final birth.
NPBHS batting first slumped to a poor start finding themselves 15 for 2. Insert Oliver Burbidge and Jordan Gard who went about rebuilding the innings which they did sensationally well putting on a partnership of 60 before Burbidge was dismissed for a well-made run a ball 44. Boys High then lost Jack Parker cheaply too which brought Reece Trumper to the wicket where he and Jordan Gard continued to tick over the scoring putting on 95 together in no time. Trumper was in a particularly aggressive mood scoring his 65 runs in just 45 balls with 10 fours and 1 maximum.
Gard continued to go about his business and made a patient but necessary 84 runs of 128 balls which ultimately got the school side through to 256 for 8 which was always going to be a tough chase for the Woodleigh outfit as they were missing three of their top four batters as they were away with the Chapple Cup winning Taranaki team.
Woodleigh’s chase got off to the best possible start with outspoken William Langslow pummelling a quick fire 72 off 60 balls to get their innings underway and take some momentum. However once Langslow was dismissed with the score at 127-2 Boys High wrestled back the momentum and applied plenty of pressure which appears to have been too much for Woodleigh to handle as they lost their last 8 wickets for just 71 runs. Jordan Gard had a great all-round day picking up a couple of wickets but the bowling effort this time was lead by Jack Parker and Chris Logan who both picked up 3 wickets piece. A win to the school side by 58 runs and a spot in the semi finals locked in.
The remaining two games were very one sided. Inglewood took on Stratford who batted first with only one of their players reaching double figures. Four of their batters would have had more success selling Tupperware as they were all dismissed for ducks. The chief destroyer for Inglewood was none other than the experienced Jason Dombroski who ended his 10 overs with 4 for 11 and was supported nicely by Hayden McIntyre and Marty Keegan who grabbed two apiece.
Inglewood chased the total down inside 16 overs with Dombroski again leading the way. A win by 6 wickets and in the process securing the third spot.
In the last game of the round, NPOB embarrassed Hawera as they bowled them out for just 58. Ross Bryans continues to impress, picking up 3 wickets at the top and was supported nicely by Kylie Pillay who again grabbed a couple of wickets and further pushes his case to be included in the Taranaki team, but it Jarred Ritson, fresh from ditching Inglewood due to lack of game time, who really made an impression as he ripped through the Hawera team picking up 5 wickets in just 4 overs.
NPOB had no problem chasing the total and got there in just 8.2 overs with Josh Borrell ending on 31 not out.
The semi-finalists have been confirmed with our Premier side taking the top spot an earning a home semi vs NPBHS while NPOB will host Inglewood at Western Park. Both games start at 11.
