Stefan Hook was unbeaten on 56 in Red Star’s semifinal loss. PHOTO/FILE
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
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Burger King Red Star crashed out of the Coastal Challenge with a disappointing 32-run semifinal loss away to Paraparaumu on Saturday.
Red Star had bowled and fielded superbly to have the home reeling at 118-9 in the 34th over, only for a 62-run 10th wicket partnership between number nine Dale McNamara [46] and number 11 Jayden Keats [17no] to add some respectability to the score, and something to defend. In the end, it turned out to be the game-changing partnership.
Left arm spinner Ojas Patel was the most successful of the Red Star bowlers with three wickets for 24 runs, while opening bowler Stefan Hook was quick and aggressive in picking up 2-31 off his 10 overs.
Captain Peter Sigvertsen and Jared Watt also picked up two wickets each.
Sigvertsen rued not being able to close out the Paraparaumu innings earlier, but said the last pair batted very well, and the pitch had flattened out.
The target of 181 off 50 overs was still within comfortable reach for Red Star, but the loss of early wickets had the visitors struggling at 26-3. Wicketkeeper Nathan Elliott and Hook were beginning to rebuild the innings when Elliott was unlucky to be given out for 18 at 57-4.
Hook and Vikas Pal put on 48 for the sixth wicket, but after Pal went for 16 with the score at 105-5, there was little resistance, with the remaining wickets falling for just 43 runs.
Sigvertsen was disappointed with the lack of application shown by the batsmen.
“There were a few little partnerships that went all right and then we would lose wickets in clumps.”
“I would say 75 per cent of wickets were poor shots. There were a few shots you wouldn’t expect us to play in a one-day semifinal.”
Sigvertsen, however, was full of praise for Hook, who was superb with ball and bat.
“He bowled really well, some of the quickest bowling he’s done probably, and then he batted really well and showed the rest of us how to bat, just with discipline and good shot selection.”
The loss is a disappointing exit from the championship for Red Star, who led the combined Wairarapa, Whanganui, and Horowhenua-Kapiti competition for much of the season.
“Considering how well we started I reckon I’m pretty disappointed that we didn’t make the final, after leading the competition for most of the season and then just the last few games we’ve struggled with the bat, which hasn’t helped,” Sigvertsen said.
“Having to change the team by five or six players each game doesn’t help, and I don’t think we’ve fielded a full-strength side in any game this season, and that’s not great.”
“Making the semifinals for two years in a row is a good achievement, and we have to be proud of that.”
BRIEF SCORES
Paraparaumu 180 [Byron Gill 55, Dale McNamara 46; Ojas Patel 3-24] beat Burger King Red Star 148 [Stefan Hook 56no] by 32 runs.
