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Competitive cricket, but with a community feel describes the recent T20 game between the Hibiscus Coast and Takapuna men’s premier teams in Ōrewa.
The game, at Victor Eaves Reserve on January 26, was a chance to see some of Auckland’s top cricketers in action locally in one of the final T20s of the competition.
Rain threatened to make the pitch unsuitable for play, but hard work by contractors saw the game go ahead, reduced to 16 overs.
The sun came out and families picnicked as they watched play.
With Takapuna at the top of the table and Hibiscus near the bottom, the clash had been described by Hibiscus club manager Gair McSkimming as “David v Goliath” and the local team went in ready to give it their all while chalking it up to experience.
However, they did have a former Ace up their sleeves – former Blackcap and Auckland Ace player Paul Hitchcock runs the club’s T20 campaign and opened the batting.
Batting first, the home team notched up 66/8 – a total that the players were disappointed with and was knocked over in 10 overs, and with the loss of only two wickets, by Takapuna.
The result also saw a brand new trophy etched with Takapuna Cricket’s name. There is a connection between the two clubs that stems from a friendship between the Mills and Jones families. Peter Mills was a founder of Hibiscus Cricket and he and Rob Jones, Takapuna Cricket chair, were friends. Rob’s son Matt is current captain of the Takapuna men’s premier side.
The Hibiscus Coast and Takapuna premier men’s teams have a new trophy to compete for.
To honour this connection, Hibiscus initiated the Jones-Mills Cup, which will be played for annually between the two sides.
Presenting the cup for the first time, McSkimming promised that one day, Hibiscus would win it back.
With all of Auckland’s premier men T20 games now completed, Takapuna ended on top, and Hibiscus Coast came 7th out of 8 teams on the table.
It is the team’s first season with full premier status in all forms of the game and there is still a lot to play for in the one-day competition, which is on until the end of next month.
So far Hibiscus has won three out of six one-day games, including a strong, 11-run win against Waitakere on January 29 – Hibiscus scored 223 for 9 and then bowled Waitakere out in the last over for 212.
Coast took a confident win
against Waitakere. Photos, Austin Langford
There are some crucial matches coming up, including several more home games. The next one at Victor Eaves reserve is on February 12 against Suburbs New Lynn.
