Ruapehu cricket 'nerve-racking'

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 24, 10 November 1987, Page 20

Ruapehu cricket 'nerve-racking'

In an exciting match at Taihape on Saturday, Ruapehu College just lost to Utiku Old Boys on the last ball. Ruapehu won the toss and elected to bat on the artificial pitch. After an early wicket, Glen Koorey and Kerry Baker pushed the runs along well, before Baker was out for 12. Richard Hamlin joined Koorey at the crease and at one stage they were 57/2 at about the halfway stage. But, following the dismissal of Koorey for 28, the team slumped to 75/6. However Hamlin continued to bat steadily; and with the help of Phillip Kerr and then Craig O'Sullivan, saw the team comfortably past the hundred mark before he became the 8th wicket to.fall for a well compiled 30. The team was all out soon after in the 42nd over for 133. 133 was a pretty defensible total and Ruapehu got into their bowling and fielding with enthusiasm. The Utiku openers, Andy Transom and Ian Moroney however, were content to just stay out there and their partnership approached 40. When they were finally dismissed though, for 27 and 16 respectively, the other batsmen had to get the score ticking along. After 30 overs the college had restricted Utiku to just 66/3 with just 15 overs remaining. Wayne Cotton and Duncan Guy set about increasing the tempo and notched up a 50 plus partnership in quick time. However, just when the game was slipping away from Ruapehu, they struck back with 3 quick wickets. The runs required and

overs left slowly became fewer and fewer and the Taihape team needed 7 off the last over. Two valuable shots on the last two balls however, sealed Ruapehu's fate as Utiku sneaked home for victory. For the college, O'Sullivan took 2-22, while Glen Journeaux collected 2-29. Wayne Cotton was named man of the match for his performances with both the bat and ball. The close result made it an enjoyable albeit nerveracking game for both sides, with neither team having any major advantage. Next week, the college try their luck against Taihape Pirates. Scores: Ruapehu College 133 (R. Hamlin 30 G. Koorey 28, K.Baker 12) in 41.3 overs, lost to Utiku Old Boys 134/6 (W.Cotton 39, A.Transom 27, D.Guy 23, I.Moroney 16; C.O'Sullivan 2-22, G. Journeaux 2-29) in 45 overs, by 4 wickets.