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Hibiscus Coast Cricket Premier Men’s team are Auckland champions, after winning the Richard Jones One-Day Cup, for the first time in the club’s history.
And, in a sign that the club has strong players coming through, its U17s are also Auckland champions, beating Parnell in the final of the summer series on Sunday, March 10.
The Premier Men toppled Birkenhead in the one-day (50-over) final at Victor Eaves Reserve in Ōrewa on Saturday, March 17.
The Hibiscus bowlers led the way, restricting Birkenhead to 168 runs all out in the 45th over.
The men in maroon then fought hard with the bat against a strong bowling and fielding performance from Birkenhead.
Anchoring the innings was the Coast’s international player, Max O’Dowd, who opened for the team and scored 84not out.
The team reached the required 169 runs in the 44th over with two wickets to spare.
Team manager Gair McSkimming praised Max’s standout batting performance but said getting into, and winning, the final was definitely a full-team effort.
O’Dowd was away for much of the season touring with The Netherlands team, so he only played two games in the Auckland one-day competition.
It is three years since the Premier Men were promoted to Auckland’s top grade in T20 and one-day competitions. Last season was virtually a washout due to bad weather, so this is their second full season of play.
After the win, captain Tony Treadaway said Hibiscus were underdogs going into the final, but they always play as a team and enjoy each other’s company on and off the field, which is a recipe for success.
Hibiscus all-rounder Ramesh Lakmal has won Auckland Cricket’s Laurie Schnauer Cup, voted for by Auckland’s premier team captains. He is also a front runner for Auckland cricketer of the year, with the winner due to be announced after the paper has gone to print.
