Hawke's Bay fends off big rival Canterbury Country

Posted Sunday, 25 February, 2024 in Match Reports

2023/24 Zone 3 Challenge

Nelson Park, Napier

23-25 February 2024

Holder HAWKE'S BAY drew with Challenger CANTERBURY COUNTRY

Hawke's Bay retains the Hawke Cup on the first innings

Hawke Cup holder Hawke's Bay denied its regular rival Canterbury a chance to return the Hawke Cup to Rangiora - after a high-scoring, first-innings battle over three days in Napier.

It was the second time in the same summer that the two rival provinces had contested the Hawke Cup - an unusual occurence brought about by the tragic impact of Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.

That was why the 2023/24 season started with a cyclone-rescheduled "2022/23 Zone 2 Challenge" from Hawke's Bay against Canterbury Country, who was the current holder at that time.

Hawke's Bay uplifted the silverware from Rangiora in that match, and they have now defended it against Manawatū (Zone 2), Counties Manukau (Zone 1) and Canterbury Country (Zone 3) in the 2023/24 Challenge series.

That leaves one Challenge Match to come for the current season, from Zone 4's qualifier South Canterbury who will make the trip up to Napier to challenge for the history-laden trophy from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 March, at Nelson Park.

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A superb feat of concentration from Hawke's Bay opener Baylee Foote helped to secure the Hawke Cup for the Bay in the latest battle, as the holders set about chasing down Canterbury Country's first innings total of 352 all out.

Hawke's Bay captain Angus Schaw had raised a few eyebrows by sending in Canterbury Country on the first morning. Canterbury rep Rhys Mariu got a foothold with 83 at the top of an innings that also saw half centuries from Jesse Frew, Brayden Hill and Sam Chamberlain – who contributed an unbeaten 50* batting at nine.

But Central Stags spinner meanwhile Jayden Lennox warmed up for the resumption of the Plunket Shield coming up in the forthcoming week with a haul of 4/113, then put his feet up as the Hawke's Bay batting line-up methodically hauled in their target over the next day and a half.

Hawke's Bay Cricket Association

Foote scored 129 across almost eight hours at the crease, starring in a match that had an influx of Central Stags due to the flagship CD side having been bumped out of The Ford Trophy Finals that coincided with the Challenge.

He'd resumed on the last morning unbeaten on 81, going on to weather a total of 349 balls.

A first-innings lead in the drawn match would be enough to ensure the Hawke Cup would stay in the Bay – the captains shaking hands mid-afternoon when Hawke's Bay reached 355/6 on Sunday.

Captain Angus Schaw contributed 73 of those runs himself in a century stand for the fifth wicket with Foote, along with Will Clark (34 in almost two hours in the middle).

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