Hastings Tournament


So, we have returned from our cricketing extravaganza to Hastings in the Hawkes Bay. “Cricket Tour” is over for another year.
This was the first time that Joe had gone to cricket camp. It tends to be the better and more interested who want to go so it was a combined team from Onslow, made up from the kids of the four age group teams. Twelve went in all. It lasted for 4 days, game 1 on Sunday afternoon, game 6 on Wednesday morning, and 2 games on each of the other 2 days. The team lost the first game by six runs, but one the next five, one against a local unbeaten against visiting teams for a few years.
Joe had one go to keep wicket, and was mainly given chance as a bowler. A little erratic but did have one good game-3 for 8 off 2. The first 2 wickets well deserved as batsmen were unsure how to play slow bowling and gave catches to midwicket and mid-on. The third was more fortunate; as caught at square leg off a full toss-hey, but look in the score book! After the first two wickets Joe was on a hat-trick! To his credit, the hat-trick ball had to be played by the batsmen. He was player of game for that, and made it onto the “honours ” board for 3 wicket haul, and as a result made it into the local paper! Fame!
Other games not as good, but enjoyed his chance.
Good fun for parents and other kids tolerated being at cricket games well. This was helped by the fact the weather was good, in the 30C zone, and clear skies, with gentle warm wind. Also pool at the motel went down a treat.
Dad did some scoring and umpired a game. Mum did helpful things on the sidelines, and managed a day trip to Wellington on a turboprop because of work. A not fun experience with the wind that day in Wellington, after a 5am start.
Since returning on Wednesday, Joe has been down the nets practicing with one of his mates each day. Keen as mustard, that’s for sure.

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