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Kaipara Flats cricketers head into 2018 with a bounce in their step knowing all three major Northland club trophies could be in the clubhouse at the end of the season. After winning the Dargaville Shield 40-over competition, Kaipara Flats Cricket Club is now on track to be a genuine contender for both the Oxford Trust Two-Day competition and Lion Red Cup one-day tournament.
Outstanding performances before Christmas include:
Rory Christopherson.
156 runs against Whangarei City Cricket Club. Opening batsman and captain Christopherson batted through the innings to demoralise the Whangarei visitors and lay the foundation for a 140-run thrashing. Underrated at higher levels for his batting ability, Christopherson is recognises as one of the best wicketkeepers in the Northern Districts region.
Kyran Dill.
15 wickets, including a hat-trick against Bay of Plenty for the victorious Northland team in the Northern Districts Twenty20 competition. Dill won player of the tournament after taking two five-wicket bags. First class recognition can’t be too far away for Dill, as he also hits the ball very sweetly.
Mathew Taylor.
107 against Mid-Western to ensure the season’s first trophy (Dargaville Shield) ended up in the Kaipara clubrooms. All-rounder Taylor blasted the Mangakaramea bowlers to all parts of the picturesque Bourne Dean Domain oval to set up a 103-run victory in the early season 40-over competition.
A pace bowling attack led by Dill, Taylor and veteran first-class paceman Kevin Forde has been bolstered by young promising seamers Sean Beamish and Liam Jones, who have contributed some outstanding bowling performances.
Meanwhile, spinning all-rounders Michael O’Flaherty and Simar Virk have provided Kaipara with match-winning balance when the going has been tough in the summer heat. The Kaipara team is often disadvantaged because the dominant player performances ensure they are regularly selected for representative honours, making them unavailable for Kaipara. Northland representatives this season are Kristopherson, Dill, Taylor, O’Flaherty and Virk.
Oli White has made Northern Districts under 19s and Brett Randell will play for Northern Districts. The strong teenagers – Liam Wewege, Danial Blunden and Ollie White – balanced with the experience of the older players, should mean Kaipara is in for a successful 2018.
By Coach Brendon Bracewell
Rodney Cricket Association / Kaipara Flats Cricket Club
