Cricket: Last-ball affair over Cornwall labelled Napier Technical Old Boys' 'greatest victory ever'

Coach Dale Smidt with the Texans. Izaiah Lange is kneeling on the left and Jesse Ryder is in the back row, fifth from the left. Photo/file

Izaiah Lange and Jesse Ryder stepped up again to eke out an emphatic last-ball victory for Napier Technical Old Boys in Auckland yesterday.

Lange, at first drop, was unbeaten on 96 runs and former Black Cap Ryder was 67 not out at No 6 as they spearheaded the Big Barrel-sponsored Texans to a six-wicket victory over hosts Cornwall Cricket Club on their turf during round four of the 2017-18 NZCT National Club Championship.

"It was a remarkable win, mate. Absolutely remarkable," said coach Dale Smidt last night as the Central Districts premier men's club champions remain the only undefeated side with Onslow Cricket Club (Wellington), who they play today, weather permitting.

"I just told one of our club [stalwarts] it would have to be one of our greatest victories ever and he agreed," said Smidt.

The 20-year-old's knock came from 127 balls, including nine fours and a six for a well-earned massage from cramping.

Smidt said Lange was a former Napier Boys' High School First XI cricketer who didn't take the sport seriously until he left school three years ago to join NTOB.

This summer he had scored a couple of 70s for the Bay B team.

Opening batsman Matt Edmondson didn't play yesterday because of a bone bruising he picked up while wicketkeeping in their first game on Thursday after the first two rounds were abandoned because of rain.

Yesterday the Texans' game started an hour late as they batted the last 10 overs in darkness in the one-day match reduced to 45 overs.

"Jesse batted down the order because he came off with back spasms so he wasn't allowed to bat until the 23rd over so we were under the pump again," he said after the CD Stags cricketer scored from 36 balls, including seven boundaries and three sixes, in his 54-minute occupation of the crease.

"He was lying down in the changing rooms on his back for an hour and a half," Smidt said, lauding Todd Watson for his 46 runs at No 5.

Sri Lankan allrounder Indika Senarathne had copped a ball on a heel and couldn't run.

"We've just got a lot of momentum going and all the complications, you know. It's just an outstanding performance, really," he said with a laugh.

Rukuwai and his men didn't drop their shoulders when Cornwall posted 266/4 in 45 overs after he won the toss and chose to bowl.

Cornwall No 3 Martin Guptill-Bunce scored 132 runs and opener Jamie Hayes was unbeaten on 90 to provide a daunting platform for NTOB to chase.

"He batted beautifully, mate. His innings was top class," Smidt said, revealing Guptill-Bunce had carved up his 15th ton for his premier club.

"We have batsmen who have had only two or three for their club."

Robbie Brigham claimed 3-57 from his eight overs and Christian Leopard took 1-41 from seven overs.

"It was still a big score because you're playing 45 overs and in front of a big home crowd of supporters on their ground and all those sorts of things," he said.

Smidt said the forecast for today was terrible against Onslow who NTOB lost to by a wicket in the Kilbirnie Sports Twenty20 Tournament at Nelson Park, Napier, last October.

If there's no play today Cornwall and Onslow will proceed to the final tomorrow although the Wellingtonians have a better run rate after skittling their opposition for 40-odd runs on Thursday.

Smidt anticipated Edmondson, "on the mend", should be okay to play after an x-ray at a medical centre nearby while Senarathne had been icing his heel and moving a lot freer.

"We've sorted out Jesse's back," he said.