Winning the away games could be key to success for Burger King Red Star in this year’s Coastal Challenge championship.
Red Star started their campaign in the combined Whanganui, Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wairarapa club competition with an 182-run drubbing of Whanganui Marist at Queen Elizabeth Park Oval last Saturday, and they can make it two from two when they face the second Whanagnui side United away tomorrow.
Too often in the past, Red Star have been on target for the top four, but their poor away game form has often been their downfall, leading them to miss out on the semifinals altogether or come unstuck in a tricky away semifinal.
Captain Jeremy Anderson is conscious of the need to win on the road and ensure his team can push for vital home advantage for the semifinals. That starts with replicating last weekend’s effort, which saw Red Star dominate all facets of the game.
Trey Bidois [84] and Mark Steventon [85] led the way with an outstanding third-wicket stand of 143 runs after Robbie Anderson [29] and Jake Jonas [49] set a solid platform of 70 runs in the first 12 overs. And then, in the field, Ethan Childs and Pete Sigvertsen picked up three wickets each as Marist struggled to gain any momentum.
Wairarapa captain Robbie Anderson and George Deans are doubtful for tomorrow, while Samuel Payne has a Wairarapa College First XI commitment. Wicketkeeper-batter Nathan Elliott and veteran medium pacer Jared Watt come into the side.
Jeremy Anderson is uncertain of the strength of United after their only other match was abandoned.
“I would have thought that they’re slightly weaker than the other Whanganui team, but they have Chris Sharrock, Dan Burgess and Carter Hobbs, and they’re all pretty handy rep players,” he said.
“Our focus is on ourselves, and if the batters and bowlers are all in form, we’re a pretty handy lineup.”
