Despite a strong finish from Manawatū Women with a final-round win against defending champion Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay is the new holder of the Shrimpton Trophy for inter-provincial one-day women’s cricket in the upper Central Districts region.

A superb five-wicket bag (5-20) to Taranaki Central Hind Kate Baxter proved not enough in their last round, Mikaela Greig top-scoring with 48 in Manawatū’s 149 all out.

Scorecard

The problem for Taranaki was a sensational Manawatū debut from young Ashleigh Hurley who quickly ripped through their top order in the reply to have them 70 for five.

On debut, Hurley had taken all five of those wickets for a stunning return of 8-4-5-14, the big names in her bag including Central Hinds Emily Cunningham, Kate Baxter and former Central Hinds and WHITE FERNS captain Aimee Watkins who departed caught to a superb grab from Greig.

Taila Hurley fought back for the hosts at Pukekura Park but when she was run out for a quick 32 off 25 balls, Taranaki unravelled to be 120 all out after 32 overs.

Meanwhile at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Masterton, Hawke’s Bay won the toss against the Wairarapa Korus and batted with Whanganui’s Central Hind and 2018 WHITE FERN Jess Watkin making her debut for the side with Cricket Wanganui not having entered a team this year, alongside fellow debutantes Aimee Kay and Aniela Apperley.

The move was an instant success for the Bay with Watkin (118 off 80 balls, 13 x 4, 4 x 6) pummelling her century off just 71 balls. Every run was invaluable in the tally of 200 for five, with Hawke’s Bay going on to claim a nail-biting win over Wairarapa by just four runs.

Central Hind and first drop Kerry Tomlinson had given the Korus a good shout with her gutsy 79 at run-a-ball pace before Monique Rees (36 off 41) and Kate Sims (24 off 30) kept the pressure on the attack. However, Napier’s young Central U21 rep Margot Scoular was up to the task with the ball, claiming them both in her 2-4 off just 2.4 overs, as well as running out Olivia Roseingrave to clinch the thrilling win.

Scorecard

With washouts affecting the two earlier rounds in November, frustratingly for all spring weather had a significant say in this year’s competition. It made for an exciting final round, however, Hawke’s Bay claiming the trophy under pressure despite suffering two washouts from three rounds.

The Shrimpton Trophy is named for former New Zealand Test representative, Central Hinds coach, and ICC Women’s World Cup winning WHITE FERNS coach Mike Shrimpton who was a significent mentor for many current and former players in our Central Districts region before he passed away in 2015.

Final standings 2018/19

Hawke’s Bay — 5 points (one win, two abandoned)

Wairarapa — 4 (one win, one loss, one abandoned)

Manawatū — 4 (one win, one loss, one abandoned)

Taranaki — 2 (one loss, two abandoned)

Article added: Wednesday 23 January 2019