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The Rodney Premiers have retained the Dargaville Shield this year after beating the Mid Western Premiers by 57 runs at the Kaipara Flats Sports Club.
The home side batted first, notching up 199/5 before bowling out Mid Western for 142.
Rodney Cricket senior player Kevin Forde says it marks one of their better starts to a season.
“We won the competition last year after being assisted by the weather a bit, but this time we were more clinical and comprehensive with our wins,” Forde says.
The team dominated in all three of its matches prior to the final, losing no more than six wickets in any game.
It opened up with a win over City Premiers before bowling out Whangarei Premiers for just 75 runs and then beating final opponents Mid Western by 76 runs.
Forde says it’s hard to gauge yet exactly how the players will fair this season for the Kaipara Flats Premiers.
“We’re on a grass surface now, that is a different ball game and makes it tougher for the batters.”
However, the team’s goal of winning the titles across all three formats of the game remains despite a struggle last season.
“I think taking all of the silverware always has to be a goal for us and we have the ability to do that.”
Two big names have returned to the squad this year, with Rory Christopherson and Matthew Taylor.
“Rory brings a lot of experience to the game after playing first class cricket and Matthew has done well with the bat, hitting a century for Rodney.”
Kevin says as well as winning, it’s also important to develop players and get them to the next level of cricket.
“We will be hampered in the season when we lose players to Northland teams, but we have to embrace that as a side.”
He noted this gives younger players a chance to step up in their absence with the likes of Liam Jones, Liam Wewege and Daniel Blunden.
“Jones can bowl well, Wewege came in for one match and performed as keeper and Blunden has the ability to set up a good platform for other batsmen.”
