Griffins win Hawke Cup to complete Nelson cricket’s rare trophy feat

The Nelson Griffins have regained the Hawke Cup after taking first innings honours in opposition to holders Canterbury Nation at Rangiora over the weekend.

The win noticed Nelson start a second stint of provincial affiliation supremacy because it took the mantle from Southland in February 2019.

It was additionally the primary time since 1983/84, Nelson cricket was the holder of the Hawke Cup, Newman Protect and the Chapple Cup on the identical time.

Within the first problem of the season, a draw after three days at Mainpower Oval gave the Griffins a primary innings win, having scored 365 batting first after which holding the hosts to 325 in reply.

READ MORE:
* South Canterbury misses out on Hawke Cup challenge
* Marlborough misses Hawke Cup challenge by slender margin
* Promising signs for Nelson Griffins after positive Chapple Cup performance

For Griffins coach Brady Barnett, the achievement was testomony to the steadiness of younger gamers who had already performed a variety of consultant cricket for the province in addition to seasoned veterans comparable to Greg Hay and captain Brendan Hodgson.

“There’s some who’re of their early twenties, however they’re into their fifth yr enjoying for Nelson – it does look younger nevertheless it’s actually good to see a variety of these guys like Nic Clark standing up when wanted and Thomas Zohrab from that youthful perspective.”

The Griffins innings initially appeared shaky on day one, decreased to 57/4 earlier than a partnership of 271 between opener Nic Clark (172 runs from 354 balls) and Joe O’Connor (120 from 316) offered essential resistance that put the challengers in a aggressive place.

Barnett stated any crew ought to all the time “put their greatest foot ahead” whatever the event and accordingly had been ready to provide it their all for a shot at Hawke Cup glory.

“At no stage may we relaxation as a result of typically cricket has that urge to chew you on the bum – I believe the good factor is that cricket was performed over three days so if we may in some way final out these three days then we may put ourselves in an excellent place to win the sport.”

He stated O’Connor’s knock was “one of many nice innings” whereas Clark’s 172 was particular not just for the whole of runs scored but in addition the extent of focus proven, having carried his bat for nearly 123 overs and navigating the crew by means of the preliminary collapse to probably dictate how the consequence ought to play out for Nelson.

A six-wicket haul from Zak Foulkes – which included the scalps of O’Connor and Clark – stored Nelson’s first innings whole inside arms attain of Canterbury Nation.

Nevertheless, the holders appeared in deep strife once they misplaced their first 5 wickets for 55 and shortly fell to 111/ 7 earlier than Foulkes (92) and Fraser Sheat (76) mixed for a ninth-wicket rescue act to finally end Canterbury Nation’s innings 40 runs in need of Nelson.

”You could possibly say it was irritating, however we all the time knew we had been going to be in a battle and this crew had been so nice for such a very long time and set the benchmark when it comes to Hawke Cup cricket,” Barnett stated of the rearguard motion.

”Whether or not it is their 9, 10 or 11, you may by no means take any state of affairs evenly – these two or three wickets on the finish had been simply as necessary as some other we had been going for.”

Thomas Zohrab (4-48) and Josh Newport (4-74) had been the chief destroyers for Nelson.

At round 5pm on day three with Nelson 54/1 of their second flip at bat, a draw was declared.

North Otago will likely be Nelson’s first problem from February 12 to 14 at Saxton Oval.

If Nelson defend the trophy there, two additional challenges loom within the subsequent six weeks in opposition to Central and Northern Districts opponents.

Barnett stated the crew had come a great distance in six months and had grown by means of an enjoyment of enjoying cricket collectively, though there was a lot extra to be taught and develop as a profitable unit.

”We’re fortunate to have three trophies and we’ll get pleasure from it so long as we will – we’re eager to see the place all that is going to take our particular group.”