ND u19s tourney under way

Poverty Bay’s Nathaniel Fearnley fires down a delivery against the ND Invitational side in front of umpire Ben O’Brien-Leaf on the opening day of the Northern Districts Emerging Rangatahi (under-19) cricket tournament at Harry Barker Reserve yesterday. Pictures by Paul Rickard

Rising cricket talent is on show in Gisborne this week at the Northern Districts Emerging Rangatahi (under-19) tournament on the Harry Barker Reserve pitches.

Eight teams are competing in three rounds of 50-over and four rounds of twenty20 games — hosts Poverty Bay, Northern Districts Invitational, Northland, Counties Manukau, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty Lakelands, Bay of Plenty Coastlands and Waikato Valley.

The home side started their week against the Invitational side. Invitational batted first and made 231 for 8 in 45 overs, highlighted by opener Monte Rolston’s 57.

Nathaniel Fearnley (2-25 off six overs), David Gray (2-44 off eight) and Connor Starck (2-33 off six) were among the wicket-takers.

Hamilton’s Angus Henry scored the first century of the tournament — 100 off 106 balls — while teammate Eli Parker fell one run short of three figures as they amassed 308-7, then rolled BoP Lakelands for 111.

Connor Jollivet made an unbeaten 70 for Northland against Counties Manukau.

Gus Tustin took 4-24 off eight overs as BoP Coastlands dismissed Waikato Valley for 129.

Games were still in progress when The Herald went to print.