Frustrating rather than disappointing!
That was the view of Southey Sayer Wairarapa Korus coach Simon Roseingrave after his team were outplayed by Manawatu in a Shrimpton Trophy match at Palmerston North’s Fitzherbert Park on Sunday.
Manawatu were in imperious form with the bat, posting a demanding total of 208 from their 40 overs, and the Korus came up 121 runs short, dismissed for 87, with Elizabeth Cohr the only batter to seriously challenge with an aggressive 34.
The Korus suffered a big blow on the eve of the match with under-19 international Emma McLeod a late withdrawal because of illness, leaving the side with the bare 11 players instead of the usual 12 played in the Central Districts competition, and Roseingrave felt that made it a struggle, particularly in the heat.
“We had a few who had just come back from the under-17 national tournament, and without the ability to rotate on and off early doors, there were a few that were struggling a little bit, probably mentally with a bit of tiredness,” Roseingrave said.
“Even though Manawatu put on 200, and they could have racked up another 50 the way they started, we actually came back really well, and we had limited bowling options with fewer bowlers than we normally would, and the bowlers did a good job.
“The fielding and bowling performance was good, and we stayed in it in very hot, humid conditions and with a limited bowling attack, so that was a positive.”
Roseingrave did admit, however, to being frustrated with the batting effort.
“A few players are struggling technically, and a few are going at the ball too early. We’re just not applying ourselves, and we’re getting out softly.”
In many ways, though, Wairarapa are the victims of their own success, with several players called up for higher honours, which impacts the selection for some games.
“We in Wairarapa want to select our best side, but because of what we’re doing, a number of players are being selected elsewhere, and no disrespect to the players, but we’re selecting 12 or 13 who are around as opposed to selecting our best team for every game, and that’s putting pressure on some of the players.”
The Korus’s next outing is an away trip to New Plymouth this weekend to take on Taranaki.
