Cricket: Schaw posts first half century as Bay remain unbeaten

Hawke's Bay batsmen Izaiah Lange and Angus Schaw (right) keep an eye on the ball as they run between wickets during the weekend's win against Whanganui. Photo / Paul Taylor

Spinner Angus Schaw is expecting plenty of flak after posting his first half century for the Hawke's Bay senior men's cricket team.

"Please don't make a big deal of it. Everyone will give me stick because it's taken so long," he pleaded after the Pay Excellence Hawke's Bay side's first innings win against Whanganui in their Furlong Cup fixture at Napier's Nelson Park last weekend.

When it was suggested to the Ruahine Motors CHB club player, who is in his sixth year in the Bay side and was playing his 58th match, his feat could be a lesson in perseverance to others, he agreed.

"Yes you bat better once you become a bit more mature. I feel like I'm the old one in the team now," the 24-year-old stock agent explained.

His 61 runs off 77 balls at No 5 included eight fours. Schaw also took six wickets in the match from 30.5 overs.

His older brother, 27-year-old wicketkeeper Scott, has posted a century for Hawke's Bay in the past and Schaw said that's his next goal.

"This season has started well for me but I would like to score a lot more runs from now on," he added.

Air Chathams Whanganui won the toss on Saturday and opted for the hosts to bat first. Hawke's Bay declared after posting 302/7 off 73 overs.

Opening batsmen Bayley Wiggins and his Heretaunga Building Society Cornwall clubmate and Hawke's Bay captain Jake Smith were inspirational.

Wiggins top scored for the hosts with 70 off 69 balls. His innings included nine fours and a six.

Smith also hit nine fours on the way to his 61 off 101 balls.

Batting at No 8 for the Bay, Innovate Electrical Napier Technical's Todd Watson scored an unbeaten 23 off 49 balls.

It was an ideal way to back up his first half century for the Bay in the previous weekend's win over Manawatu in a 50-over clash.

In reply, Whanganui were bowled out after scoring 84 runs off 46.5 overs.

Hawke's Bay coach Dave Castle had every right to be impressed with his bowlers who shared the load during this innings.

Schaw bowled for 4.5 overs and took three wickets while conceding 12 runs.

Whanganui followed on and were bowled out for 236 runs from 82.5 overs.

Aggressive You Travel Taradale fast bowler Ben Stoyanoff was in superb form during the second innings and took five wickets in 16.5 overs while conceding 42 runs to finish the match with six wickets.

Schaw took another three wickets during his 26 overs and conceded 61 runs.

"Ben was fantastic with the new ball," Castle said.

"We were left needing 20 runs off one over for the outright win. We couldn't quite manage that but we deserved all the points we got ... maximum batting points and maximum bowling points," Castle said.

"I was impressed with how Jake led the team. All of the players really stepped up ... it was fantastic," Castle said.

His troops have another four matches to play in the Furlong Cup competition before they know whether or not they will get the chance to play for the cup.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday Hawke's Bay will attempt to retain the Chapple Cup at Napier's Nelson Park.

They will take on Horowhenua-Kapiti on Friday and who they play in their remaining matches won't be determined until the end of Friday's matches.

Castle pointed out Hawke's Bay will miss the services of Cornwall strike bowler Liam Dudding this weekend as he has been called into the Central Districts squad.

His berth in the Bay squad will be taken by Reynard Health Supplies Havelock North player Joey Field.

Because of last weekend's rep fixture the Property Brokers premier men's Murray McKearney Memorial Cup T20 matches were played on Friday.

They saw Havelock North beat CHB, Tech beat The Station Napier Old Boys Marist and Cornwall beat You Travel Taradale.