Wairarapa all-rounder Melissa Hansen took two wickets and contributed 20 runs. PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV
ELI HILL
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Wairarapa Korus came tantalisingly close to Shrimpton Trophy glory on Sunday.
The Korus lost by four runs when they hosted Hawke’s Bay at Queen Elizabeth Park in what was the final 40-over match of the tournament.
The home side were in a good position going into the contest, sitting in first place on the Shrimpton Trophy standings with four points while second place Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki both sat on two points each.
Play started at 11am with Hawke’s Bay winning the toss and deciding to bat first. They amassed 200 runs for five wickets in their 40 overs.
White Fern Jess Watkin scored over half her team’s runs, collating a brilliant 118 runs off 80 balls before being bowled out by all-rounder Melissa Hansen.
Hansen took two wickets for 21 runs, with Monique Rees and Kerry Tomlinson also taking a wicket each.
Tomlinson was to the fore as Wairarapa chased the large total, reaching 79 runs off 75 balls including seven fours from No 3.
With strong performances from Monique Rees, 36 off 41 balls, Kate Sims, 24 off 30 balls, and opening bat Hansen, 20 from 33 balls, it proved to be a close run thing.
Unfortunately, Wairarapa failed to see out their 40 overs, being dismissed for 196 in the 34th over, just four runs short of their target.
Korus coach Doug Bracewell said that while the side were disappointed to lose, there were plenty of positives to come from the match.
“Obviously we lost three or four quick wickets and then we lost the experience of Kate Tomlinson.
“To see young ladies like Kate Sims and Monique Rees come through to carry us to a position where we could win the game I think is very exciting.”
He gave captain Esther Lanser credit for using all the team’s bowlers.
“One of the things is it’s about winning games, but it’s also about development and there’s a nice balance out there.
“We were up at the run rate, and we always knew that if we batted the 40 we had a chance, unfortunately we didn’t quite reach it.”
Lanser said the team would take a lot from the game.
“It was 100 per cent a team effort today, we don’t have any superstars, but we have players who can contribute to the team and we’re all about team here.”
Hawke’s Bay captain Rosemary Mair said the “down to the wire” match had been an exciting way for the team to put their training into practice.
In addition to winning the match Hawke’s Bay also claimed the 2019 Shrimpton Trophy.
Manawatu, beat Taranaki by 29 runs on Sunday to move into second place, equal with Wairarapa in the final standings with Taranaki ending the round-robin tournament in last place.
