As we gear up for the upcoming club cricket season, let's reflect on clubs that excelled in Wellington and Central Districts over the 2023-24 season.
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WELLINGTON:
Taita Cricket Club celebrate their One-Day title
Honors were shared across Wellington’s premier men’s competitions, with three separate clubs taking home a title.
Taita Cricket Club enjoyed another prosperous season, winning two competitions after their historic three title season in 2022-23.
Taita retained the Ewen Chatfield One-Day trophy with a 7-wicket victory over Eastern Suburbs in the competition final.
A fantastic spell from Matt Kelly (4-25) gave advantage to Taita at the halfway mark, before the Greenwood brothers, Nick (100 runs) and Will (44* runs) guided their side home to victory.
Taita also proved themselves as the form team throughout the Two-Day competition, winning four matches on their way to a competition final against Hutt District CC.
JJ Fielding enjoyed a memorable season for Taita, scoring 863 runs across all competitions (the most across all premier players) including a whopping 180 runs off 168 balls in the Two-Day format.
While Taita won the competition on overall points, Hutt District Cricket Club were able to pry the Pearce Two-Day Cup from the reigning champions with an outright victory in the competition final.
Wellington representative Ian McPeake & batter Caleb Montague played vital roles on their team’s road to victory.
McPeake took 7 wickets across two innings, while Caleb Montague scored back-to-back half-centuries (75 & 52*) to bag the title.
Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club pulled off a fantastic bowling performance in their final to take out the ROBLAWMAX Men’s T20 Cup.
Defending a first innings score of 123/7, ESCC were able to claim five wickets in the first 5 overs to have Hutt District CC reeling at 18/5.
Jacob Madigan (3-5) led the way with the ball, well supported by three other bowlers who all claimed two wickets to bowl HDCC out for just 69 runs.
- Hutt District CC (Pearce Cup – Men’s Two-Day)
- Taita CC (Men’s Two-Day, Div. 1)
- Taita CC (Ewen Chatfield Trophy - Men’s One-Day)
- Eastern Suburbs CC (ROBLAWMAX Men’s T20 Cup)
Petone Riverside reclaimed the Joy Lamason Trophy in Wellington
Petone Riverside’s Premier Women continue to build their legacy in Wellington Cricket’s SPOTLIGHT REPORTING Women & Girls’ Premier Grade, retaining both the Joy Lamason One-Day Trophy and the Maureen Peters Twenty20 Plate.
Hannah Francis starred in PRCC’s One-Day final against North City, taking four wickets (4-18) in the 1st innings and accumulating an important half-century (52 runs) in the run chase.
Petone Riverside again met North City, this time in the Twenty20 Plate final.
After being sent into bat, NCCC’s Neha Ramanathan (78 runs) played a lone hand to push her teams total to a respectable 130/6.
Francis (50 runs) again shone for her side, teaming up with Emma Austin (53 runs) for a 100+ run opening stand.
Following the dismissal of Francis, Caitlin King (23*) stepped in with a timely innings, guiding PRCC to their second title of the season.
- Petone Riverside CC (Joy Lamason Trophy – Women’s One-Day)
- Petone Riverside CC (Maureen Peters Plate – Women’s T20)
TARANAKI CRICKET:
NPMUCC took out two competitions in Taranaki last summer
New Plymouth & Marist United Cricket Club made it a season to remember in Taranaki’s Premier Men’s grade, making three competition finals and winning two of them.
Their first title came in the One-Day format after a rain out in their competition final, NPMUCC earning their spot as top qualifiers with four wins.
NPMUCC’s second title came in more convincing fashion, cantering home to an 8-wicket victory against Hawera United CC at Pukekura Park.
After being asked to bowl, NPMUCC’s bowling unit looked to capitalise on the opportunity.
Ryan Watson (3-13), Daniel Bernet (3-16) and Kurt Leuthart (2-5) were on form for NPMUCC, taking big wickets, and seeing Hawera bowled out for just 115 runs. Watson showed out again, this time with the bat – smashing 72 runs off just 51 balls to get his side the win.
NPMUCC were robbed of a third title thanks to a mammoth run chase from New Plymouth Old Boys Cricket Club in the Two-Day final.
After tallying a first innings total of 301/10, you might have forgiven NPMUCC for thinking they had one hand on the title.
New Plymouth Old Boys had other ideas, however, amassing 312/5 over 108 overs in a truly remarkable chase. Old Boys’ batters Rupert Young (117) and Oli Burbidge (91) played a vital role in the run chase.
- New Plymouth Old Boys CC (Men’s Two-Day)
- New Plymouth & Marist United CC (Men’s One-Day)
- New Plymouth & Marist United CC (Men’s T20 Cup)
- New Plymouth Old Boys CC Women (Baker Tilly Women’s Premier Series)
NPOBCC's premier women celebrate taking out the women's premier series
New Plymouth Old Boys CC’s women's team wrapped up the Baker Tilly Women's Premier series 3-1 against Stratford’s Premier Women.
Central Hind Emily Cunningham enjoyed an outstanding season with the bat, while Anika Scott impressed with the ball.
CRICKET WHANGANUI:
Whanganui United picked up the elusive Coastal Challenge cup in 2023-24
Whanganui United Cricket Club enjoyed a fantastic season in 2023-24, winning the premier limited overs competition, as well as the inter-district Coastal Challenge Cup.
Heading into this season, Whanganui United CC had been in the past five Coastal Challenge finals but had not been able to get that elusive win.
They required a historic effort to defend their total of just 123/10, and the bowling unit delivered, dismissing Kāpiti Old Boys for just 82 in both the shortest and lowest-scoring 50-over final in the competition’s history.
Each bowler claimed at least one wicket, while Tom Lance (3-16) and Robbie Power (3-19) bagged three apiece.
WUCC’s Greg Smith was prolific throughout the campaign, scoring 324 runs at an average of 68.8.
In their 45-Over final against Whanganui Collegiate, United found themselves in trouble at 24/5 chasing 239 to win.
Enter Chris Sharrock (103 runs) and James Woodford (63*), who accumulated a crucial 128 runs for the 7th wicket, setting the platform for victory.
Earlier in the day, Robbie Power’s (4-30) bowling efforts were a key factor in keeping WUCC in the match.
Whanganui High School’s 1st XI took out the Premier 2 T20 title in a final that boiled down to a super over.
Whanganui HS were set a competitive 141/7, largely thanks to the efforts of Jack Donaldson (90* off 57 balls), who was the only Whanganui Renegades player to reach double figures.
Whanganui HS require a team effort to match that total and would have likely passed it if not for some final over drama. Matthew Hodges (2-28), took two big wickets, and the team completed two runouts to tie the match.
Whanganui HS made amends in the super over – keeping the Renegades to just nine runs and scoring 21 of their own to claim the win.
- Whanganui United CC (Men’s One-Day)
- Whanganui United CC (Coastal Challenge - Men’s One-Day)
- Whanganui High School 1st XI (Men’s T20 Cup – P2)
MANAWATU CRICKET:
Marist CC pose after a big win in Manawatū's T20 final
Marist Cricket Club took out Manawatū Cricket’s Premier Twenty20 competition, getting one up over United with a 20-run victory in the competition final.
Arana Noema-Barnett put the Marist team on his shoulders, scoring an unbeaten half-century (66* off 56) and grabbing three key wickets (3-8) to earn himself man of the match honors.
Noema-Barnett would later earn Manawatū Cricket’s Players’ Player of the Year award for his efforts across competitions.
A strong first innings effort with the bat earnt United Cricket Club their second Two-Day title in consecutive years, and revenge for the Twenty20 final the previous week.
UCC were able to tally a mammoth 334/10 thanks to a pair of half-centuries from skipper Mason Hughes (70 runs) and Tom O’Connor (72 runs).
While Marist battled back through Hanu Rana (88) and Noema-Barnett (66), United’s Jack Harris (5-56) produced a timely five-wicket haul to secure a first innings victory for UCC.
With the One-Day final washed out, Freyberg Cricket Club took out the competition as top qualifier through the round robin.
United Cricket Club’s Premier Women brought home the Women’s Twenty20 title on the back of a strong finals’ effort against Fielding Cricket Club.
A pair of half-centuries to openers Leesa Baker (56* runs) and Abby Treder (50 runs) pushed United’s total to a commanding 126/3, before the bowling unit put the clamps on to assure a 42-run victory.
UCC’s Treder proved her class all season, picking up the batting award for a second year running.
Palmerston North Girls HS pulled off a fantastic campaign in the One-Day competition, going unbeaten through six games to take home the title.
PNGHS were able to chase down United’s total of 142/10 thanks to game changer Myah Dawson, who smashed a blistering 77 runs off just 30 balls.
- United CC (Men’s Two-Day)
- Freyberg CC (Men’s One-Day) – final washed out, Freyberg top qualifier.
- Marist CC (Men’s T20 Cup)
- United CC (Women’s T20)
- Palmerston North Girls High School Black (Women’s One-Day)
HOROWHENUA-KAPITI:
Weraroa CC went unbeaten through three matches to win HKCA’s T20 weekend
Weraroa Cricket Club put together a string of strong performances at HKCA’s T20 weekend to claim the title over Kapiti Old Boys’ CC.
Their final begun with an impressive bowling performance, led by Caleb O'Connell (3-15) and Nibu Jose (2-11), eventually bowling KOBCC out for just 91 runs.
Openers Thomas Morgan (30) and Jamie Marshall (30) set a platform, which was capitalised on by Prabodha Artha Liyanage (26*), seeing WCC to an 8-wicket victory.
Levin Old Boys’ Cricket Club produced a huge first innings effort to take out HKCA’s Two-Day final against Paraparaumu CC.
Bowling first, opening bowlers Jesse Parker (5-16) and Alex O’Malley (4-35) wasted no time ripping through Paraparaumu’s batting order. Their efforts resulting in PCC being bowled out for just 68 runs.
It kept getting better for LOBCC as they begun to pile on runs with the bat. A blistering Matt Good century (115 runs off 78 balls) and half centuries to Bailey Te Tomo (60) and Ryan Taylor (55) seeing LOBCC to 344/10 and a first innings win.
Kapiti Old Boys’ Cricket Club got their hands on the Men’s One-Day trophy thanks to a handy bowling effort against Levin Old Boys.
Bowling first, KOBCC made early inroads thanks to Tristan Cloete (4-27) and Zack Benton (2-35), who were both able to take two wickets in the first 10 overs.
LOBCC’s middle order fought back well, only to be dismissed at 175/10 when Carter Andrews (2-37) and Cloete returned to the crease.
Kapiti captain Jayden Rose-Miles (56*) played a measured innings, well supported by opener Daniel Franks (42), helping their side to a comfortable win home in the 36th over.
- Levin Old Boys CC (Men’s Two-Day)
- Kapiti Old Boys CC (HKCA Men’s One-Day)
- Weraroa CC (HKCA Men’s T20)
HAWKE’S BAY:
Napier Tech with the MJ Shrimpton Men’s One-Day Cup - Photography by Corena
Napier Tech Cricket Club again took home the Men’s Challenge Cup in 2023-24, the most sought-after award in the Hawke’s Bay region, won for most points accumulated across all premier competitions.
Havelock North Cricket Club also had much to celebrate through the season - thanks to their premier men who won two competitions, and their premier women who took home the Twenty20 title.
The rivalry between the two clubs was evident, meeting in three-of-four competition finals across the Hawke’s Bays premier competitions.
In the T20 Murray McKearney Cup final, Havelock North CC’s Taylor Bettelheim (93* off 69 balls) pulled off a man of the match effort to almost singlehandedly chase down NTCC’s total of 131/10 with eight balls to spare.
Earlier in the day, vice-captain Harry Ghodke (3-12) and Harvey Ives (2-17) played their part with the ball, well supported by a strong HNCC fielding effort including three runouts.
In the final round of the Laver & Wood One-Day competition, HNCC’s Kian Schwartz (138 runs) timed his maiden century to perfection, pairing with Oscar Mabin (38* runs) to chase down Napier Tech’s total of 225 runs.
The win took HNCC clear on the points table, securing them the Laver & Wood One-Day trophy.
Alongside winning the prized Challenge Cup, Napier Tech CC found their success in the MJ Shrimpton Men’s One-Day competition, claiming a 4-wicket victory over Central Hawkes Bay CC at the Napier’s McLean Park.
Batting first, CHBCC found early success through Central Stag Jack Boyle (42) and Thomas Zhorab (78).
Fast bowler Liam McCarthy (3-43) took three important wickets, while Samuel Pawson (2-25) and Tyler Annand (2-34) picked up two apiece.
In response, Harrison Wooley (79 runs) continued his run of fine form, leading his side with a valuable half-century (and later picking up the MJF Shrimpton Cup for most runs).
Toby Findlay (36), James Rawnsley (22*) and Jayden Lennox (20*) chipped in with important runs –eventually helping Napier Tech to reclaim the MJ Shrimpton Cup back from Havelock North.
A standout performance from Charlotte Wakefield saw Havelock North CC’s Premier Women to a comprehensive 39-run victory against Napier Tech in the Amber Bar Women’s T20 final.
Batting first, Wakefield (56*) anchored her sides innings to push HNCC’s total to a competitive 109/3.
With ball in hand, Wakefield (2-4) was again a key factor – taking two key wickets including NTCC’s top scorer, Tammy Welsh (29).
All HNCC’s six bowlers took at least a wicket each to wrap the game up in style.
- Napier Tech CC (Men’s Challenge Cup – Overall Champions)
- Napier Tech CC (MJ Shrimpton Memorial Cup - Men’s One-Day)
- Havelock North CC (Laver & Wood Trophy - Men’s One-Day)
- Havelock North CC (Murray McKearney Memorial Cup - Men’s T20)
- Havelock North CC (Amber Bar Women’s T20)
WAIRARAPA CRICKET:
Greytown celebrate a hard-fought victory in their T20 final
A lower-order partnership for Greytown Cricket Club helped them to an unlikely victory against Red Star in the Men’s T20 Community Shield final.
Chasing a competitive 143/6, Greytown found themselves up against in at 85/6.
At seven and eight, Tony Russo (45*) and Byron Hegglin (30) were not willing to give up just yet – piling on a 50+ partnership and whacking 14 runs off the final over to secure victory.
Red Star Cricket Club went unbeaten through six Two-Day matches to retain the Bidwill Cup for another season.
Wairarapa representative, Jake Jonas (5-15 & 61 runs), came up big for Red Star, displaying skill with bat and ball to pick up a first innings win and sneak past runners up, Barbarians.
- Red Star CC (Bidwill Cup – Men’s Two-Day)
- Greytown CC (Community Shield - Men’s T20)
- Subway Sixers (Men’s Franchise T20 Comp)
MARLBOROUGH CRICKET:
Celtic CC took out two competitions in the 2023-24 season
Celtic Cricket Club had a strong year in Marlborough, able to fight off Wairau Cricket Club after Wairau’s three-peat last season.
Bowling first in their One-Day final, a true team effort from Celtic saw Wairau Valley CC bundled out for 140/10. Each of the CCC bowling unit picked up at least a wicket, while four bowlers picked up two.
Luke Holdaway steered Celtic home with an unbeaten half-century, while Jaden Adams (2-14) and Josh Poole
(2-31) were the pick of the bowlers.
Celtic also snuck home in a close T20 finals match up against Wairau CC.
Wairau CC set a competitive 134/4 batting first, led by skipper Nick Weaver (40) and Harry Boyce (26*). In response, it took three scores of 20+ and three scores of 10+ to edge Celtic past the target score with just two balls remaining in the match.
Despite their losses to Celtic, Wairau Cricket Club also enjoyed a winning season and found finals success against Renwick Cricket Club in the One-Day post-Christmas final.
Hunter Ruffell was star of the show for Wairua – taking three important wickets (3-25) in the bowling effort before top scoring with an unbeaten half-century (60*).
Marlborough Cricketer of the Year, Andrew McCaa (30*) played a valuable knock for Wairau, while Piers Landon-Lane (46) and Richard O’Shaughnessy (33) showed promise for Renwick.
- Celtic CC (SBS Bank Men’s One-Day – Pre-Xmas)
- Wairau CC (SBS Bank Men’s One-Day – Post-Xmas)
- Celtic CC (Grove Tavern Men’s T20)
NELSON CRICKET:
The Wanderers/Motueka Wolves celebrate victory in Nelson's Two-Day competition
The combined Wanderers/Motueka Wolves thrived in Nelson last season, winning the Two-Day & One-Day competitions, as well as the Kirkpatrick Senior Cup for Club Supremacy across the season.
The Wolves went unbeaten through six games to win the Two-Day competition, including a big win in their final against defending champs, Stoke-Nayland.
Wolves all-rounder Michael Olsen had a match to remember, scoring a first innings century (105) and backing it up with four wickets (4-24) in the bowling innings.
The Wolves again got the wood over Stoke-Nayland in the One-Day final, but this time in a much closer affair.
A captain’s knock from Stoke-Nayland skipper, Dylan Eginton (93), combined with the support of Darius Skeaping (44), leading their team to a total of 231/7.
Wolves openers Joseph O’Connor (92) and Andrew Beatson (36) got their team off to the ideal start, putting on 84 runs before the loss of a wicket.
Despite a flurry of middle order wickets, the Wolves managed to hold on, eclipsing the total with just an over remaining.
Earlier in the season, Athletic College Old Boys Cricket Club pulled off an upset against competition leaders (Wanderers/Motueka Wolves) to take home T20 honors for the season.
Ronan Restieaux played a vital hand in the victory, taking three key wickets (3-33) in the first innings, before exploding for an unbeaten half-century (74* off 54).
Ronan shared an unbeaten 100+ run partnership with brother Finn Restieaux (51*), cruising home to victory in the 18th over.
- Wolves - Wanderers/Motueka (Men’s Two-Day)
- Wolves - Wanderers/Motueka (Men’s One-Day)
- Athletic College Old Boys CC (Men’s T20 Cup)
