Nathan Elliot batting for Red Star. PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV
CRICKET
JAKE BELESKI
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The two teams without a win in this year’s Coastal Challenge Cup one-day cricket competition will square off at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton today [noon].
The Coastal Challenge Cup is a 10-team competition that includes Red Star and United from Wairarapa, alongside other teams from Horowhenua-Kapiti and Whanganui.
Red Star are yet to register a win in the competition, and will take on Kapiti Old Boys today, who are also languishing at the bottom of the table.
Red Star captain Peter Sigvertsen said his team had struggled to date, but they were enjoying playing in the revamped competition with teams from outside of Wairarapa.
“The results haven’t been great but we’re really enjoying it.
“We’re playing different guys and teams week in, week out, which is really good for us.”
In their four matches so far, scoring enough runs has been a real challenge for the Red Star batting line-up.
They have batted first in every match they have played, and the highest total they have put together was the 202 all out that they made in the first round against Weraroa Cricket Club.
On that occasion, Weraroa cruised to a six-wicket win, and the other matches have followed a similar pattern.
In their last match on November 24, Red Star could only manage 112-9, with Wanganui Collegiate winning by seven wickets.
Sigvertsen said the scorecards may not show it, but the players were benefiting from playing in the tough competition.
“It’s definitely making us work harder which is only going to benefit cricket in Wairarapa, and us personally as well.
“We have to work really hard to get results, which is awesome.”
Red Star will not have to look far for advice on how to beat Kapiti OB, as United managed it when the two teams met a few weeks ago.
United bowled Kapiti OB out for 79, and then smashed their way to 80-2.
Sigvertsen said Red Star knew little about Kapiti OB, but United had shown there were opportunities to enjoy success.
“The only thing we know is United played them and absolutely hammered them.
“All we know is they got beaten by United and they haven’t won a game, like us, so to get a win would be lovely.”
Sigversten said players from the two Wairarapa teams were happy to share their knowledge on different opponents, and he was hoping that would come in handy.
“I personally talk to quite a few of the United guys at rep training about the teams they’ve played and to get a bit of insight.
“Being Wairarapa teams, we both want to do well against the other teams.”
The wins may have eluded them so far this season, but Sigversten was keen to keep Wairarapa teams involved in the competition in years to come.
“It’s only going to help us in the future and I’m definitely keen to stay in it.”
United will be travelling to Whanganui today to take on Wanganui United Cricket Club.
Wanganui won their first match of the competition, but since then have had two matches abandoned and suffered one loss.
United were unlucky to lose their last match to Watsons Tech Cricket Club by one wicket, and will be looking to bounce back with a strong performance today.
