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A series of strong performances with the bat from unlikely heroes has put Kaipara Flats Cricket Club Premier team in the driving seat for the Lion Red Cup.
The side leads the 40-over competition with five wins and two losses, three points ahead of second placed Kamo.
The team had a strong start to the season, but was brought down the ladder after suffering two losses in three weeks before bouncing back with two hard fought victories.
One of those saw the team down 94/8 against Kamo before the two youngest players, Rhys Jones and Liam Wewege, built a partnership of 54 runs.
The other had bowler Shaun Beamish hit 46 and Kyran Dill in his first game this season score 50 against City Cricket Club (Whangarei).
Club captain Liam Jones says it’s been team performances that have put Kaipara at the top.
“We don’t have a standout player in the squad as such, so it’s great to see different people stepping up each week,” Jones says.
“In the past we have relied on the figureheads of the club to carry us through, but there’s more confidence across the team for others to do that now.”
He does admit the team’s opening batsmen are still struggling to hit consistent scores.
“One area we need to improve on is setting good scores at the start of our innings, currently we’re not doing that and it’s putting us under pressure unnecessarily.”
The competition has two rounds remaining on January 12 and 19.
Team captain Rory Christopherson is the top fielder in the competition so far with 11 catches and three stumpings.
Meanwhile, Brett Randell has been unavailable for Kaipara this season due to his success as top wicket taker for Northern Districts Men.
He has also been picked for the Knights team to play in the Burger King Super Smash.
Kaipara will play its last home game for the year at Bourne Dean Domain in a friendly T20 match against Kumeu on December 13. The match starts at 5.30pm.
