Nelson representative sides have had a massive week with the Signature Homes Yr 11 & 12 Boys, Nelson Yr 9 & 10 Girls, Signature Homes Yr 10 Boys, and Nelson Pine Griffins all in action between the 10th and 15th of December 2024.
Signature Homes Yr 11&12 Boys
The Signature Homes Yr 11 &12 Boys were the first to head away to their Central Districts Age Grade tournament in Napier from 10th to 12th December.
The team headed north with 4 points already on the board, having defeated Marlborough by 8 wickets in their nearest neighbour match on the 24th of November.
Settling into their work early in Napier, Nelson only required 10.3 overs to chase down their target score for victory having earlier dismissed Wairarapa for 56. Another comprehensive 8 wicket victory.
Wednesday provided a tougher test, and Nelson was quickly on the back foot as the Hawkes Bay top order laid a formidable foundation. Despite reigning it in, the total was set at 233 for victory and a chance in the final. The run chase never really gained any traction, eventually falling to a 76 run loss and a place in the 3 v 4 game.
Despite rain trying to ruin the last day, play finally got underway with a reduced match (34 overs). For the first time in the tournament, Nelson had the task of setting the target. The top 3 all managed to get starts, each surpassing 30 and combining for 111. With no one managing to push on, the innings came to a close at 182/9. Exceptional fielding would prove the difference, forcing four runouts to ensuring Whanganui's run chase never got momentum and eventually securing the 12 run win, and with it 3rd place.
Dallas Kelso led the way with the ball, picking up 12 wickets across the four games at an average of 9.17, including an impressive 6/51. He was aptly supported by his opening bowling partner, Hogan Ward, who picked up 9 wickets at an average of 11.
Kurt Ward accumulated the most runs throughout the tournament, with a total of 78 at an average of 39. Both Gus Bixley and Jarryd Nicholls contributed 70 runs at an average of 23.33
Year 9&10 Girls
The Nelson Year 9 & 10 Girls are the champions of the Central Districts region!
Embarking on their tournament in Palmerston North, from 11th - 14th December 2024, the Nelson Yr & 10 Girls got their campaign off to the best possible start with an 8 wicket win over Hawkes Bay. Having been set a target of 125, the Nelson batters made light work of the total getting home with 7.3 overs to spare!
The afternoon on Day 1 proved to be a bit tougher. The invitational team from Wellington (Gold) provided an even battle that we couldn't quite get on the right side of. Having restricted them to 72, we couldn't replicate the run scoring feat of the morning session, falling agonisingly close to lose by 2 runs.
Day 2 provided an opportunity for the Girls to get back on track and they did just that. In the morning game, the Girls secured a 56 run victory over Manawatu White. Having posted 104, they then managed to restrict Manawatu to 48. They made it two from two for the day when they beat Taranaki Black by 5 wickets.
This set up a fascinating showdown with Wellington Black on the final day, the only undefeated team. Wellington Black set an impressive 129/2 in their 20 overs, but that wouldn't intimidate Nelson. Despite losing a couple of early wickets, they dug deep and pushed the game to the limits - falling 3 runs shy of victory.
Having topped the table of the Central Districts region, the Nelson Yr 9&10 Girls were crowned champions! With the two loses to the two Wellington sides being by a combined 5 runs!
All bowlers chipped in with wickets to help share the load, although Petra Cederman, Elise Dallimore, and Summa Pratt all secured 5 each at an average of 12.4, 11.6, and 11.2 respectively.
Petra was a standout with the bat as well, accumulating 122 runs @ 40.67. Summa Pratt was the next highest contributor with 88 runs @ 44.
Nelson Pine Griffins
The Nelson Pine Griffins have secured an important outright victory over Marlborough in the 2nd Round of the Hawke Cup, after coming off a heavy first innings defeat a week earlier to Canterbury Country.
Winning the toss, the Griffins asked Marlborough to go in and have a bat and managed to get early breakthroughs. With regular wickets falling throughout the innings, Marlborough were eventually dismissed for 156 in their first innings.
A 106 run opening partnership ensured the Griffins got off to the best possible start with Carl Quinn (68) and Jonty Raxworthy (61) both surpassing 50. Adding a skippers knock of 54 by Michael Olsen and the Griffins had secured 1st innings points and were in a position to declare at 254/8 and chase the outright victory.
Marlborough were up for the fight, and a staunch middle order effort ensured they reached 224 in their second at bat and force the Griffins to bat again.
Needing 127 for victory, and time running out, the Griffins took an aggressive approach to try and secure maximum points. Carl Quinn got his second 50 of the match, as he reach 53 off 32 before getting bowled. However, the damage was done and the steady hand of Finn Restieaux (36* off 30) helped ensure that the Griffins secured the outright win.
It was a meaningful match for Cameron Neame, making his Nelson debut and finishing with match figures of 5/46.
The Nelson Pine Griffins head down to Buller for their Round 3 match on the 11th & 12th of January 2025, looking to secure the required points to reach the Zone 3 Final.
Signature Homes Yr 10 Boys
The Signature Homes Yr10 Boys have got their 2024-25 Central Districts Age Grade Campaign off to a winning start with a 68 run win over Marlborough in their nearest neighbour match-up.
In what will be a first for many in the team, they took to the iconic Saxton Oval for there first game of the campaign. After winning the toss, they decided to bat first and proceeded to set 210 with a number of players getting a start (5 surpassed 20) but no-one managing to capitalise and put on a big score.
Determined to get the victory, the team bowled tightly with 7 bowlers managing to pick up a wicket and eventually restrict Marlborough to 142.
The Signature Homes Yr10 Boys head away to complete the rest of their campaign in Levin from 12th to 15th January 2025.
