United wicketkeeper Andrew Taylor added 30 with Quinn Childs for the seventh wicket. PHOTOS/JADE CVETKOV
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
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United captain Jaco Vorster is staying positive about the team’s semifinal prospects in the Coastal Challenge despite a disappointing loss to Whanganui Marist on Saturday.
The nine-wicket defeat has dropped United to sixth place in the nine-team competition featuring club teams from Wairarapa, Horowhenua-Kapiti, and Whanganui.
Vorster said the team did not play well in all facets of the game.
“We were horrible. We didn’t bat particularly well and failed to adapt to the pace of the pitch,” he said.
United’s top order, consisting of five Wairarapa representative players, could post only 80 runs between them, with opener Gus Borren the best with 28, while John McKenzie and Vorster failed to trouble the scorer and faced only five balls between them.
United’s bowlers then failed to apply pressure to the experienced Marist top order, too often missing their line or length, giving the batsmen prime scoring opportunities.
“Our bowling was shocking. It was inconsistent, and we bowled badly to their representative batsmen at the top of their order and made it too easy for them.”
United’s points tally of 12 is five behind Levin Old Boys and Marist, and two points behind Whanganui United.
Vorster is confident that they can still reach the top four playoffs with their two remaining games against Whanganui United in Masterton, and away to Whanganui Collegiate.
“Both teams are ranked about the same or below us, so in theory, we should be able to beat them, and if we do, we could even sneak into the top three,” Vorster said.
“It would be great for Wairarapa Cricket to have two teams in the top four, and a good indication of where our cricket is in comparison to the other districts.”
Burger King Red Star lead the championship and are virtually guaranteed a semifinal spot, with one game to play, away to third-placed Marist.
