They dismissed the Craig Christophers-led OBR for 67 — their lowest total of the season — in 27.4 overs.
Seamer Mike Gibson (four wickets for nine runs from six overs), opening bowler Sam Briant (3-22 in 5.4 overs), off-spinner Charles Morrison (2-9 off 4), spearhead West (1-9 from 6) and the dutiful George Whitehead (0-18 from 6) were all magnificent.
Ngatapa organiser Chris Hurlstone saw West and Morrison’s posse deliver a performance as polished at the weekend as Raleigh and Lyle Crudis’s mob in 2019.
“This afternoon was the best cricket I’ve seen from the Green Caps. They held four superb catches, and worked hard in the field to support the bowlers — none of whom had a bad day,” Hurlstone said.
“Craig (Christophers) was his normal steady self with the bat in the first innings but he ran out of partners.
“Our wicketkeeper, Simon Wilson, then opened for us with positive intent and set the platform for a convincing win.”
The day began with a moment of silence for former OBR captain Les Barbara, who passed away earlier in the week.
Ngatapa co-captain Morrison won the toss and OBR took first knock.
Ngatapa’s disciplined five-man attack did not let opener Christophers, who carried his bat for 29 runs, hit one boundary in 81 balls.
Nine OBR batsmen made three runs or fewer. That Ngatapa were able to restrict such an experienced outfit to that extent was remarkable.
In the run-chase, Wilson (38) and left-handed Richard Briant (8) put on 48 at the top of the order before the latter was run out.
With the total at 65, big-hearted left-arm swing bowler George Reynolds (1-23 off 5 overs) became the only OBR bowler on the day to claim a victim — Wilson, leg before wicket.
West took one run off the only delivery he faced.
Isaac Thomas (14 not out) cleared Reynolds’ man at mid-off for the winning runs from the last ball of the 14th over.
Christophers, one of a number of club cricket captains who have worked hard to confirm player numbers, said: “It was a tough season for us but the positives included the performances of our young guys, while another highlight was the batting form of Mana Taumanu (194 runs at 32.33) — our top run-scorer for the season.”
With Jason Trowill at the Northern Districts Cricket Awards to received the Emerging Umpire of the Year honour, Stewart Patrick, was the only Poverty Bay official to stand on finals day.
