Taranaki keep the pressure on in engrossing second day of challenge

Taranaki keep the pressure on in engrossing second day of challenge
Hawke Cup Challenge: Taranaki V Hawkes Bay
Day 1: Hawkes Bay 59-7 declared. Taranaki 106-8
Day 2: Hawkes Bay 59 & 163-6. Taranaki 157.
Hawkes Bay lead by 65 runs with 6 wickets down.
Whitaker Civil Engineering Taranaki enters the final days play tomorrow in a dominant position against Hawke Cup holders, Hawkes Bay.
Commencing this morning at 106-8, 47 runs in credit, the two big fast bowlers Ryan Watson and Ben Frewin showed they were skilled with the bat as well as the ball, and calmly rolled out a partnership the likes of which hadn’t been seen previously in this game – considerable.
When Watson was trapped in front on 38, No 11 batsman Liam Carr batted with a composure that suggested that he could ‘walk the talk’, and he hung tough for 21 balls, helped Frewin through to 40 not out and ensured Taranaki had a sizeable lead of 98.
Of course, only half the job was done. With over five sessions left, and with the topsy turvy nature of this game, the Taranaki supporters, numbering near the twenty mark, held their breath as Hawkes Bay boldly strode to the wicket.
They needn’t have worried.
The big fella, fresh from a prominent innings, raced in with the zest of a 20 year old, and by ball five he had knocked over the opening batsman. Watson 1. HB 0
There was slow progress for the batsman as Watson and Frewin, and then Jordan Gard and wily lefty, Mattie Thomas, kept the pressure on with accurate bowling.
Nearly fifteen overs passed before Dean Robinson dived full-length to his left at short cover and Gard had his man. Gard 1. HB 0
And then, boom, Thomas had his man with a sharp catch at the stumps by Rupert Young, a player producing a performance of the highest quality. Thomas 1. HB 0
Almost unbelievably, Hawkes Bay went to lunch with three wickets down and 30 runs on the board. If you dared to dream now was the time.
Bayley Wiggins and Bradley Schmullian were at the crease for the Bay following the lunch break, both experienced and very successful first-class batsman. If any players could get a partnership organized and produced, it was these two.
They settled in comfortably, dabbled a few here and there, hit the odd forceful shot, and the Taranaki tent just went a little quiet.
The attack remained relentless through this period, and made life tough for the batsman. Soon the smiles returned to the tent as first Young snatched a beauty standing up to the stumps and Schmullian was gone. Gard 2. HB 0
Then, as if to prove he possesses Superman powers, Watson took a flying catch at slip with the ball almost past him, and Wiggins was walking back very, very slowly. Frewin 2. HB 0.
Fox Hall always said, ‘catches win matches’.
HB were five down and still 40 runs behind. This was an amazing effort from Sam Fastier’s Taranaki team. Both bowling and fielding were out of the top drawer.
Finally, HB dug in. Skipper Dominic Thompson is 38 not out off 162 balls, and along with Sam Cassidy who scored 64 from 139 balls they took the total beyond Taranaki and started to eke out a lead.
Neither was in any trouble as they banged the front foot down the pitch to almost every ball, relenting occasionally to play an attacking shot. The lead built, but Taranaki maintained their control.
By now Watson had raced in at a never-relenting pace and whirled down 17 overs. Gard, at the other end was also going for less than 2 an over as he wound up for 20 overs. That’s 180 balls folks, of accuracy and energy. The bodies were under pressure.
It was then up to young Liam Carr, the man with the goose-step, who was rhythmically enticing the batsman with his flight, and suggesting that they try to deal with him. There were some edges and balls that landed close to fielders, but Thompson and Cassidy were having none of it. The very occasional boundary against the occasional loose ball would suffice.
Taranaki held tight. If HB were to build a lead they would have to do it slowly.
Then poof! Cassidy went for the big hit from a looping Carr delivery, only to manage a thick edge and the ball was safely in the hands of Liam Muggeridge at backward point.
HB were 6 down and 45 in front. Would this be the crucial wicket.
Todd Watson strode to the wicket. He is a powerful man with a long hit in his armory. How would he approach this innings?
At 10 not out from 26 balls he was happy to assist Thompson, and they batted carefully to ensure that no more wickets were lost.
Tomorrow HB will be looking to build a lead at least double what they are currently holding and give it everything at dismissing Taranaki cheaply in two sessions.
Whatever is in front of the Taranaki batting line-up, this is not a wicket that suggests they cannot knock off any runs required. Bring on day 3.
There is never any respite in a tough game of cricket.
Full match details here at Play HQ