Samuel Payne batting for the Wairarapa Year 7 representative team. PHOTO/JAMES CHURCH
CRICKET
The Wairarapa Year 7 representative cricket team made an emphatic statement with a 121-run win over the Horowhenua Year 7 team in their 35-over inter-district match on Sunday.
After winning the toss and batting first, Wairarapa got off to a solid start through the opening partnership of Sam Jonas and James Church.
The two were prepared to respect good bowling as well as pounce on any bad deliveries.
Left-hander Jonas retired after 55 balls, making 50 runs which included eight boundaries.
Church remained solid in his defence until he was run out for 19 from 41 balls.
Hamesh Patel and Charlie Regnault both made starts before they too were run out trying to scamper singles, Patel for 13 and Regnault for 14.
Samuel Payne came to the crease with an intensity from the get-go and worked hard to lift the scoring rate.
He was particularly severe on any short-pitched bowling and ran well between the wickets with Toby Nelson.
A feature of the partnership was the ability to rotate the strike.
Payne made 53 from 43 balls before retiring, in an innings which included four boundaries and two sixes.
Nelson continued through to 26 from 23 balls before being bowled, playing one shot too many.
Xavier Cook [8] and Nathan Shaw [9] finished off the innings, with Wairarapa ending with a very competitive 244-5 after 35 overs.
Wairarapa’s opening bowlers, Devin Collins and Zac Ratuki, applied early pressure with Ratuki picking up the first wicket with the score at 11.
Cook and Patel bowled well in partnership, with Cook eventually finding the batsman’s edge to be caught by Payne at point, and Patel picking up two wickets through sharp catches at first slip by Regnault.
Regnault also did some damage with the ball, picking up 1-5 off three overs.
Payne wrapped up the innings with two wickets to finish with 2-12 from his three overs.
Ratuki [2-7] and Patel [2-13] were the other leading wicket takers.
Shaw [1-5] and Cook [1-7] picked up a wicket apiece.
Horowhenua were all out for 123 after 29 overs, handing Wairarapa a comfortable win.
A highlight of the day was the Wairarapa fielding display which was very tidy, enthusiastic and included several great catches.
