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Pearce Cup end of season review 2007-2008
Before writing this I had a quick look at Lee’s end of season report from last year, and he starts with ‘close but no cigar.’ Well I think the same could be said for the 2007/2008 season!! We came a creditable third and fought hard all season and managed to finish just a few points behind 1st and 2nd.
We went into this season with high hopes as we had a settled side from last year, and the younger boys being that year older and more experienced. We started the new season in decent form beating Taita and
It is always easy to use hindsight at the end of the season but the 6 point dropped against Petone was incredibly disappointing. It was their only win in the season where they were relegated from the grade.
It meant we ended up half way down the table a long way behind the top three sides. We were a massive 25 points behind leaders Naenae. This really did put the team under pressure to perform in the two dayers if we were going to mount a serious challenge to the top of the table.
It is fair to say that we performed quite exceptionally in the two day form of the grade. Where it is difficult to force a win in the two dayers we managed to win 4 out of 7 games. Two of our draws the weather had as serious impact on the games and forced a draw. Looking back on the two dayers the game against Onslow was pivotal. We had them 9 down with about 5 overs to get the wicket and we couldn’t quite manage it and the game ended in a draw.
There were only really two stand out performances this season with Lee Edwards and Steve Murdoch. Lee again showed what a cricketer he is by taking 50+ wickets and also 350 runs – an outstanding season. Steve was on about 330 runs until the last season were he scored an outstanding century and 80 to end up with an excellent 550+ runs for the season.
It was pleasing to see Brendon Maher bowl exceptionally well at times throughout the season. It is really tough for a leg spinner to perform well in
After seeing all the stats for runs and wickets with a game to go and we were third. It was said “how the hell were we third!” As only really Lee was in the top few performers in
Looking forward to next season it is imperative that a few more people step up and get in the top 5 runs scored and wickets taken to support Lee and Steve. We certainly have the ability to get into the Pearce Cup final and then go on and win it. However, we need to be a little more consistent in the one dayers so we don’t have a lot of catching up to do come the two dayers.
Finally I would like to congratulate Lee Edwards and Simon Allen on being called up to the Firebirds this season. A great effort and lets hope we get a few more “unicorns” in their squad next year!
Till next season Andy Brunt
Go K Town!!
Karori v Naenae March 8/15
Well every other game we seemed to have played in the last few games was a ‘must win’ game – well this one definitely was. It was the last game and we knew we had to beat Naenae and hope Easts failed to beat Onslow, if we were to reach the final.
Naenae could also still make the final, won the toss and inserted us on what was a road! However, we were soon in trouble at 80-5! Then up stepped Steve Murdoch who batted quite outstandingly and scored a magnificent 159*! On this form you have to ask why he is not in the Firebirds? He was ably supported by Templeton, Sewell and Fletch. Both Sewell and Fletch gave us great momentum with some lusty hitting at the end of the innings. This enabled us to declare on 308-9.
Naenae had a good 40 overs to bat on Day 1 and they got off to a decent start. However, quick wickets soon gave us the edge at the end of Day 1 with them 146-6 with Brendon Maher picking up 4 wickets with his tidy legspin.
Going into Day 2 we hope to roll them for under the follow on and put them in again. Wickets fell early to Edwards and they were under pressure needing 3 runs with the last pair at the crease. Somehow they scrapped past the follow on and we had a lead of 98.
We set off for quick runs and Murdoch carried on his rich rain of form with another magnificent 89. He was well support by Edwards who scored 39. This enabled Lee Edwards to declare 260 in front with 55 overs left in the day.
They got off to a bit of a rapid start and were well ahead of the run rate. Baker then took the key wicket of Battock much to Simon’s delight! With the wicket still decent to bat on the chase was easily in Naenae’s reach. However, the wicket was taking turn and we knew Sewell and Maher would be a handful. Sewell was pretty expensive but picked up a number of key wickets. Maher was bowling well and they were really under pressure. Maher picked up a few wickets, leaving us with 3 to win the game.
This is where our tailend specialist took over in Edwards!! He picked up 3 wickets in an over to win the game. He goes into the off season sitting on a hat-trick ball!!!
Unfortunately Easts scrapped a win to leave us in 3rd place. They chased down 93 with two wickets left. And when the scores were tied Onslow dropped their pro Francis!! How the season could have been so different!!!!!!!!!!!
Karori v Norths Feburary 23/March1
We went into this huge game knowing a win was imperative against the league leaders. We knew we were up against a strong side and would have to play well to force a much needed victory.
Lee Edwards won the toss and inserted Norths who then made a solid start. Then wickets fell regularly and they were soon 90-9. Unfortunately the last wicket put on 30 odd runs when they were dismissed the score was 125.
Karori made a disappointing reply with the bat and were soon in trouble. Edwards (25) was the only scorer of any note, with us being dismissed for 101. Credit must go to their bowlers who bowled well and Black Cap Mark Gillespie took 6 wickets and Bowden and Quaterman supported him well.
This left Norths 20 odd overs to bat on the first day and they came out and batted positively and at close they were 150 ahead for the loss of 3 wickets.
Going into Day 2 and we knew we needed early wickets to force the win. However, with rain forecast for latter in the day Norths batted positively to take a lead of 250 and declared after only 15 overs of Day 2.
This meant weather permitting we had plenty of overs to chase down 251 – which could have been achievable if we batted like we know we can. Unfortuanelty, more early wickets to Bowden and Quaterman left us in trouble at 50-5. Baker and Templeton then took us to 110-6 when the expected rain came down to finish the match in a draw.
This leaves us going into the last game needing a win against Naenae and hoping Easts fail to win their game if we are to reach the final. We need to concentrate on our job and ensure we win and hope the other result goes our way. Fingers crossed for a big game next week!!!
Karori v
Karori v Taita played Saturday 26 Jan/February 2 at Taita
Karori went into this game knowing a win was imperative if we were going to stay in the title hunt. This game was going to test our squad depth as four of our boys were off representing