Choi Jackson hits out for Stihl Swollen. PHOTOS/JADE CVETKOV
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
[email protected]
Two of the success stories of the Wairarapa Cricket season have been the men’s and women’s T20 competitions.
The men’s competition attracted 11 teams, with more than 200 players competing, over nine weekends.
More than 40 girls and women played in the inaugural Franchise T20 League, which was played by teams of nine, midweek and on Friday nights.
Both championships wrapped up last weekend, with Crombie Lockwood Greytown beating Stihl Swollen by six wickets in the final.
The Plumbing World Sapphires defeated Holmes Construction Infernos by five wickets in the women’s final.
Former Wairarapa representative Mark Childs led the way in Greytown’s easy win in the men’s final.
Childs batted through the innings to finish 64 not out [42 balls including 11 fours] and had good support from another former rep Tim Lucas, who scored a quick 33 not out [including four fours] of 20 balls as they chased down Stihl Swollen’s total of 125 in 15.3 overs.
Nathan Chaney with 39 [38 balls, including seven fours] and Choi Jackson with 22 [13 balls including two sixes] were the major contributors in Stihl Swollen’s innings.
Former representative Simon Clinton-Baker grabbed 3-19 with his left arm spin.
The Greytown team was mainly made up of former representative players and former Greytown premier club players, while the Stihl Swollen side included some former reps and current Lansdowne players.
Central Hinds’ player Esther Lanser, with 50 retired [36 balls including eight fours], and Olivia Clark with 32 not out led the way for the Sapphires as they cruised to the Infernos’ total of 113-7 in 14.3 overs.
Wairarapa Cricket operations manager Simon Roseingrave said there was a 25 per cent increase in men playing in the competition, and the women’s competition was played for the first time and it worked well.
“It was about getting people playing cricket. We aimed at catering for people who still wanted to play and those that couldn’t commit to a full game or a full day in the sun,” he said.
“The good thing about it, several players moved up to play Coastal Challenge after playing in the competitions.”
BRIEF SCORES
Community Shield T20 final:
Stihl Swollen 125 [Nathan Chaney 39, Choi Jackson 22; Simon Clinton-Baker 3-19, Brian James 2-17, Martin Reisima 2-28] lost to Crombie Lockwood Greytown 126-4 [Mark Childs 64no, Tim Lucas 33no; Seam Moldenhauer 2-18] by six wickets.
Women’s Franchise League final:
Holmes Construction Infernos 113-7 [Kayaran Jones-Dennes 25; Amy Johnson 2-8, Abby Treder 2-24] lost to Plumbing World Sapphires 115-3 [Esther Lanser 50 ret, Olivia Clark 32no; Emma McLeod 3-30] by five wickets.
