Sign In / Register
The Kaipara Flats Cricket Club premier team has recovered from a difficult season after winning the Oxford Trust Two Day competition last month.
The side finished last in both the T20 and one-day competition without collecting a win, but was unbeaten in its run to the two-day title.
Club senior player Kevin Forde says the team was stoked to finish the season with some silverware.
“We were in the driving seat heading into the final day of competition and getting the title was a good reward for some strong performances,” he says.
Rory Christopherson topped the run scoring in the two-day format with 272 runs, including a century.
Kyron Dill led the bowling stats, taking 25 wickets with two five-wicket bags.
To address the team’s struggles in the other formats, Kaipara is hoping to adjust the schedule for next season with Cricket Northland.
“With a full squad we only lost one match, but too many times we would lose up to six players on Northland duty and that has a big impact on results.”
Forde says it’s important for the club that players are selected for higher honours and develop, but is concerned that Kaipara is being drained more than others in the competition.
“What we would like to see is some of our matches being played on a Sunday so that players from our Rodney men’s competition can fill those gaps. That way we can develop more depth in the squad and consistently field a strong team week in, week out.”
The team also enjoyed coaching from former Black Cap Brendon Bracewell this season, and the club is hoping he will return next season.
“Bracewell brings a huge amount of experience to the setup and is someone who can oversee the team without having to be involved with the game itself,” Forde says.
