Rep cricketers make solid start to Hawke Cup campaign

Nelson's senior rep cricket side made a strong start to their 2023-24 Hawke Cup qualifying campaign at Marsden Rec over the weekend.

They met Marlborough in the first zone three qualifying match, beating the visitors on the first innings by a considerable margin.

Nelson batted first and scored 400-7 from 101 overs, making the most of favourable batting conditions to declare late on Saturday. Marlborough ended the day at 15-1, confident they could mount a decent challenge to Nelson’s total on Sunday.

However, morning rain added moisture to a low drying pitch, creating inconsistent bounce which the visiting batters were unable to cope with. They were eventually dismissed for just 147 after 64.4 overs, handing the home side first innings points. Leading by 253, Nelson enforced the follow-on, putting Marlborough in again, but they found the going much easier second time around, reaching 53-0 when stumps were pulled after 18 overs.

On day one, Marlborough were immediately under pressure after the home side won the toss. Nelson openers Nic Clark (97) and Jonty Raxworthy (92) combined for a first-wicket partnership of 185 to set the foundation for a sizeable score. When they were dismissed, along with dangerman Greg Hay, Marlborough looked to push on, but a fourth-wicket partnership of 76 between Thomas Zohrab (60) and Ryan du Plessis (40), plus an unbeaten eighth-wicket stand of 65 between Mike Olsen (59*) and Sean Neal (25*) saw the home team reach a formidable 400.

It was a tough day in the field for Marlborough, whose spin trio of Tom Sutherland, Josh Poole and Matthew Stretch, making his 100^th senior rep appearance, stood out. Poole, plus medium pacers Sam Boyce and Luke Pannell bagged a brace of wickets each, Stretch snaring the other.

Marlborough’s reply began badly. Opener Hunter Ruffell was dismissed before stumps on Saturday, nightwatchman Jaden Adams and Boyce quickly following him back to the pavilion when play resumed on Sunday. When player/coach Andrew McCaa was adjudged lbw to spinner Matthew O’Sullivan first ball Marlborough were in immediate trouble at 41-4. Stretch and number six Corey Bovey looked likely, but when Stretch (16) fell with just 56 on the board and new batsman Josh Poole was dismissed from the very next ball the end appeared nigh.

Fortunately, Bovey had other ideas, battling on with the help of the lower order to his highest score for Marlborough. The in-form Marlborough batter scored 83 from 160 balls, showing patience and a solid technique.

However, his defiance was merely enough to push the visitors to 147, he and Stretch the only batsmen to reach double figures.

Bovey and Boyce opened when Marlborough batted a second time in improved conditions, pushing the score past the half century. Boyce finished unbeaten on 35 and Bovey 13.