Taranaki has extended its Hawke Cup tenure to five matches, seeing off the first challenge of the 2025/26 summer from its Zone 2 rival, Hawke’s Bay.
It was a high-scoring draw at a sun-drenched Pukekura Park, three days that produced first innings totals of more than 400 runs on both sides.
Hawke's Bay's hopes of uplifting the silverware rested on taking nine wickets on the final day for a first innings win, but a string of composed partnerships from the hosts ensured the Hawke Cup stayed put.
Hawke's Bay had brought seven first-class players with them, as well as white-ball Central Stag Sam Cassidy on Hawke Cup debut — Cassidy having top-scored with 116 after Taranaki captain Jordan Gard sent them in on Friday.
Hawke's Bay's Sam Cassidy | credit: Taranaki Cricket Association
Taranaki opening paceman Ben Frewin was meanwhile rewarded for his toil with a haul of 8/123 as the Cup holders dismissed Hawke's Bay for 451 after lunch on day two.
Taranaki got a strong start to their first innings reply thanks to a knock of 130 from opener Josh Borrell who shared a 190-run second wicket stand with Liam Muggeridge (67).
After both men eventually fell on the final afternoon, the Young siblings — BLACKCAP Will and younger brother Rupert, who was CD's Hawke Cup player of the year last season — kept the fortress ramparts upright as they put on 79 for the fourth wicket over a special hour and a half for their District and family.
Will and Rupert Young | credit: Taranaki Cricket Association
Young had been presented with his first Hawke Cup Challenge Match cap by Rupert ahead of day one, and marked his debut with an unbeaten century this evening, 107 not out — hitting the final boundary as Taranaki went past Hawke's Bay's tally to finish at 453/4.
Rupert had been trapped earlier by Hawke’s Bay skipper Angus Schaw, Trent McGrath joining the elder Young for a century stand before the captains shook hands for the draw.
Hawke's Bay was the District that surrendered the Hawke Cup to Taranaki this time last year, kick-starting a rare Taranaki tenure.
The New Plymouth-based team now gets to prepare for the next Challenge, from Zone 1's Bay of Plenty, in a fortnight's time back at Pukekura Park.
Credit: Taranaki Cricket Association
The holder after that match will host the Zone 3 Challenge from Canterbury Country, either in New Plymouth or Mount Maunganui.
HAWKE CUP CHALLENGE MATCH
2025/26 | Zone 2 Challenge
Taranaki 453/4 (holder) drew with Hawke's Bay 451 (challenger)
30 January - 1 February 2026
Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
DAY ONE
Lunch Hawke's Bay 91/2 in 33 overs, Will Clark 19 (35), Thomas Zohrab 30 (91)
Tea Hawke's Bay 182/4 in 65 overs, Bayley Wiggins 12 (44), Sam Cassidy 38 (59)
Stumps Hawke's Bay 314/6 in 96 overs, Todd Watson 4 (24), Angus Schaw 7 (27)
DAY TWO
Lunch Hawke's Bay 451/9 in 129 overs, Toby Findlay 75 (93), Jayden Lennox 33 (60)
Tea Taranaki 61/1 in 29 overs, Liam Muggeridge 3 (20), Josh Borrell 31 (92)
Stumps Taranaki 142/1 in 61 overs, Josh Borrell 77 (187), Liam Muggeridge 32 (120)
DAY THREE
Lunch Taranaki 246/2 in 93 overs, Josh Borrell 128 (273), Liam Muggeridge 67 (213)
Tea Taranaki 335/4 in 129 overs, Trent McGrath 0 (5), Will Young 61 (128)
End of match Taranaki 453/4 in 157.3 overs, Will Young 107 (195), Trent McGrath 68 (109)
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Matches always begin on a Friday at 10.30am and are played at the current holder’s home ground
- Zone 1 Challenge: 13-15 February 2026 at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
- Zone 3 Challenge: 27 February-1 March 2026 - Venue TBC
- Zone 4 Challenge: 13-15 March 2026 - Venue TBC
