Cricket: William's ton made just for grandad

No treats for William Clark - just a hug from his father, Brad, and comfortable in the knowledge his grandmother, Jan, was watching him from the sidelines when he scored his century.

"I just raised my bat to say it was for him [grandfather, the late Graeme Clark]," says the 13-year-old, whose grandparents had managed the Riverbend Camp facilities in Havelock North before Ray Mettrick approached them to stage the children's annual cricket tournament in 1979.

"My treat was getting the 100," says the Year 8 Havelock North Cricket Club team captain. He scored an unbeaten 114 runs on Monday against Hutt Valley, including 14 boundaries and three sixes at Frimley Park, Hastings, in the 45-over match.

He came in at No3 to forge partnerships with opener Jack Parker 31 and No4 Harry Mowat 21, as they amassed 244-5.

In reply, the Wellingtonians could only muster 110 before they were skittled in the 43rd over in the villagers' 134-run victory.

Reflecting on his first ton at any level after five stints in the camp, the Hastings Christian School Year 9 pupil this year says he and his father spent countless hours in the nets every day, sometimes twice in one day. The Andy Reeves-coached Year 8s were undefeated yesterday to finish at the top of the table.

Clark was a picture of patience on the crease, playing "every ball on its merit".

"I made sure every bad ball was hit well on the ground or over the top."

He thinks it will be amazing to make the Black Caps some day or "that sort of thing".

As captain, Clark enjoyed "the positive feeling" leading his troops on to the park to field.

He claimed a five-wicket bag against Wellington Collegians in the third game on day two.

His grandfather, who died almost two years ago, had Parkinson's syndrome and was blind. As a youngster, he would visit him at his home in Hastings and often talked about cricket for a couple of hours.

"My grandma is probably my biggest supporter and has been to every game of mine," he says, adding she also gave him a hug after the commotion had subsided at the park.

Brad switched from rugby to cricket to play alongside his son in the men's third grade Havelock side "before he [William] becomes too good for me - I think he has".