Hawke's Bay has reclaimed the guardianship of the Chapple Cup with a 63-run victory in the 2019 Final over Manawatu.

Scores

After having won the toss and batted, Hawke’s Bay put 61 on the board inside the first 10 overs — just before Manawatu got its first breakthrough in the form of Luke Kenworthy, caught on 29.

Opening partner Bayley Wiggins proved the bigger obstacle for Manawatu, however, anchoring the innings en route to a fine century in the Final — the young cricketer almost carrying his bat before he was caught on 106 (145 balls, 10 fours) in the 48th over.

Brad Fulton had accounted for both wickets and, in between, he helped chip out a couple more, finishing with 4-56 off his 10 overs, as well as a runout to try to stem the damage on another fine Napier afternoon.

Hawke’s Bay fell away at the death, but Wiggins had strung together a series of partnerships with his top and middle order workmates — including a solid stand of 83 with Matt Edmondson (39) for the second wicket before Wiggins eventually departed at 262 for six.

The tail pushed up the tally to 280/9, setting Manawatu a fair chase if they were to lift the prized silverware.

Todd Watson made the first breakthrough for the Bay with the ball, picking up Arana Noema-Barnett caught... after an explosive 32 that had flown off just 20 balls.

Mason Hughes was in a similarly positive mood, and quickly reached 30 before he became the second to fall at 65/2, in just the 11th over.

The flying start lost a little momentum when number four Rob Sheary was then promptly run out without scoring, but a 61-stand for the fourth between a resolute Trent McGrath and Floyd na Nagara helped settle the dust, before na Nagara was stumped off spinner Jayden Lennox on 34.

McGrath became the anchorman for Manawatu, guiding them through to 184/6 at the 40-over mark, despite losing partners.

A testing 97 runs off 10 overs was now the ask, McGrath having reached 64* with support from Bryce Grant.

Ben Stoyanoff was back into the attack to try to glean the crucial wicket, while a parsimonious Kyle Gardiner had kept the pressure on, and had just bowled Hayden Hill for the sixth.

McGrath ran a three off Brad Schmulian to post the Manawatu 200 in the 44th over, but Manawatu needed a big finish now: a steep 78 off the last 36 balls.

When Angus Schaw picked up Grant caught at the start of the next over, the pressure only escalated. McGrath’s vigil ended the very next ball, caught by Edmondson on 75.

One hand on the trophy for Hawke’s Bay and the hosts wrapped it up with almost four overs to spare for a comfortable 63-run win. After a brief holiday on the other side of the North Island, the Chapple Cup had come back to Nelson Park again.

2019 CAVE CUP FINAL

Marlborough 204/4 defeated Nelson 203/8

Scores

Article added: Sunday 24 November 2019