Samuel Payne was second top run scorer with 189 runs for the tournament. PHOTO/JAMES CHURCH
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
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The Wairarapa Year 8 cricket team has returned from an outstanding tournament in Hawke’s Bay with four wins from five games. They narrowly missed out on overall tournament honours.
Almost unheard of for Wairarapa teams, they defeated some of the powerhouse teams in junior cricket – Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington Gold and Wellington Black.
Their only slip up came in their final match against Mt Maunganui.
Wairarapa started the tournament with an eight-wicket win over Taranaki in a T20. Zack Ratuki [2-11] and Samuel Payne [2-9] were the best of the bowlers as Taranaki were dismissed for 101. Sam Jonas finished 53 not out as Wairarapa cruised to victory in 11 overs.
In the second T20, Archie Schrader [2-7] and Devin Collins [2-15] starred with the ball as Wairarapa restricted Hawke’s Bay to 97-8 in their 20 overs. Payne impressed with 43 not out, with Wairarapa reaching 98 for the loss of seven wickets with seven balls to spare.
Payne was again in good form in the first of the 50-over matches, against Wellington Gold. He scored 60 not out in Wairarapa’s score of 178.
A great fielding effort resulted in five run outs as Wellington were restricted to 171.
The Payne show continued in the next match against Wellington Black.
The talented MIS player scored 74 as Wairarapa amassed 225. Nathan Shaw also impressed with a hard hit 38 not out.
For the second consecutive game Wairarapa affected five run outs to dismiss Wellington for 183.
That left the final game against Mt Maunganui to wrap up the overall tournament title.
Payne highlighted his all-round potential taking 4-32 in Mt Maunganui’s score of 182. However, Wairarapa then turned on their meekest batting effort being dismissed for 101.
Payne finished the tournament as the second highest run scorer with 189 runs at an average of 94.50. He also finished as third equal highest wicket taker with eight at an average of 13.63.
