Classic country final as Velocite Lower Division showdowns loom
Pihama and Auroa cricket clubs will rekindle their always fierce rivalry in the showpiece game of TCA’s Velocite Lower divisions at Pukekura Park this Saturday.
The two neighbouring South Taranaki clubs earned spots in the final with wins over New Plymouth sides NPOB and NPMU last weekend.
Pihama’s five-wicket win came in a Duckworth Lewis affected match in Pihama. NPOB batted first and made 192/7 off 38 overs before rain arrived. NPOB opener Sean White impressed with 70 while Pratik Patel picked up 4/14 with the ball for the home side. With DLS leaving Pihama chasing 181 off 32 overs, it was Patel who again shone, steadying some early wobbles with 63 not out off 51 balls to earn their spot in the final, in a man of the match performance.
At St Joseph’s in New Plymouth, Auroa bowler Richard Muller was the key man with the ball, taking 5/27 as top seed Marist was all out for 176. That tally could have been even lower if not for some late-hitting by Connor McLean (44 not out) and Ezra Low (37 not out).
Opener Claud Clark got Auroa’s chase off to a solid start – his 70 off 102 balls laid the platform and veteran Kolynn Tai was able to finish the job in the middle order with 58 as the visitors got home in the final over with four wickets in hand.
Saturday’s final at Pukekura Park will be the second time Pihama and Auroa have met this season. The Pihama men enjoyed a dominant victory when the two sides met in their traditional “Ashes” clash in February.
TCA General Manager Ryan Evans said he was stoked to see the two small South Taranaki clubs contesting the Velocite Division 1 final.
“In Taranaki Cricket this is still one of the true rivalry matches and we’re really pleased to see these two clubs still going strong, and playing more than competitive cricket,” he said.
“I’m expecting a closely fought final and we’re very much looking forward to hosting what should be a cracking match on Pukekura Park.”
The 40-over match is scheduled to get underway from 12pm, with fine weather forecast throughout the weekend. Full match details including live scoring can be found here at Play HQ.
Meanwhile, NPMU Hounds and Fitzroy Black will meet for the Velocite Division 2 final at Pukekura Park on Sunday.
The two sides come into the match evenly balanced on paper. The Hounds qualified for the playoffs in top place and are a well-balanced side, while Fitzroy had to rely on a late run to make it through on NRR. However, the side’s batting lineup has hit form in recent weeks and their final round-robin match was a convincing win over the Hounds, which will give them plenty of confidence ahead of the game.
The Hounds dispatched Merrilands in their semifinal last week with a four-wicket win at Devon Intermediate, while Fitzroy travelled to Karo Park and beat Inglewood Blue by 26 runs in a high-scoring and closely contested affair.
Sunday’s final gets underway at 1pm and full match details are available here at Play HQ.
