Wolves in the family

Jack Malcolm

Youngest son Blake, dad Justin and eldest son Liam Hobbs all play together in the local premier grade for the Wolves (Wanderers/Motueka), having been club stalwarts for many years. Photo: Jack Malcolm.

The Hobbs family and Wolves (Wanderers/Motueka) cricket go together like salami on pizza - it just makes sense.

Dad, Justin, and his two sons, Blake and Liam, all play for the club’s premier grade team, with mum Angelique a common sight on the boundary supporting her boys.

“It’s pretty special, aye. To have the whole family down there,” says Liam.

He has played for Motueka Cricket since he was seven years old, having spent the last several years in the club’s second-grade team with his dad.

It’s his second year in the premier grade team, while Blake debuted earlier this season.

Blake says the level of play in the premier grade is a definite step up, particularly in the ability of the fielders, which has been handy as a specialist bowler.

Speaking on Saturday before he went in to bat at number 11, his dad says he’s also handy with the bat.

That may be in part to the fact that the family installed an artificial turf wicket in their backyard over lockdown.

While they had always had a track to practise on, Justin says the addition of a clay foundation under the artificial on top has levelled up the backyard cricket games to another level.

Justin says it was always a dream to play alongside his two boys and to do it in the highest local grade of cricket makes it that much more special.

He also got into indoor cricket after watching his son play for New Zealand, having recently returned from a trip to Australia after being selected to wear a silver fern himself in a masters team.

That family connection to cricket has created some special moments for the Hobbs family and he hopes there’s many more to come.

The Wolves will return to Memorial Park this weekend to continue their two-day game against Waimea Toi Toi United, where they sit in a commanding position.

While none of the Hobbs boys had a day to remember with the bat, the team posted a handy 183-10 before dispatching the visitors for just 81 from their first turn at the crease.

Sent in to follow on, WTTU are in trouble at 59-5 and 43 runs behind, with the Hobbs instrumental in all of the wickets.

Blake has picked up three wickets at the cost of just two runs, including one caught by Liam, who has two wickets to his name himself.

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