ROUND 10
CENTRAL STAGS v CANTERBURY
Pukekura Park
24 November 2018
Result: No play possible
The day before, it had been another day in Taradise with sunshine beating down in New Plymouth.
But heavy overnight rain in New Plymouth saw the two out-of-contention sides turn up to a damp Pukekura Park on game day. Early lunch was taken and the match called off in the early afternoon without a toss.
Canterbury had already been assured of the wooden spoon for 2018/19, their List A season having deteriorated after losing BLACKCAPS Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham and Matt Henry from the early rounds, when they had been top of the table.
Nevertheless, they would have enjoyed another go at hunting down the Stags after having beaten the side at Pukekura Park back in the Round Two.
Opening batsman Chad Bowes (above, PHOTOSPORT) finished as Canterbury's top run-maker with 414 runs at 46.00 while captain Cole McConchie led the way with the ball taking 13 wickets at 20.84.
The Stags became the only team to be held back by two no-results, but ultimately — despite some remarkable victories and upsets — their young side with six players aged 21 or under had been too inconsistent to progress.
Centuries to two of the young men, Josh Clarkson and Dean Foxcroft, would be highlights, while recalled veteran Greg Hay finished top of the Stags' runs with 351 at 43.87, including a career best 85.
Greg Hay enjoyed his rare Ford Trophy outings. MBUTCHER
Allrounder and left-armer Ben Wheeler (above, PHOTOSPORT) produced an encouraging comeback after his spinal fusion surgery, leading the wickets with 10 from four appearances at a superb 14.30.
Their attention will now turn to the defence of the first-class Plunket Shield, in which the Stags remain top of the table. They will head to Alexandra unbeaten, looking to continue their campaign against the resurgent Otago Volts starting on 6 December.
