Rance pumped for action

Seth Rance has just returned to the Wairarapa and is already champing at the bit to get the new cricket season under way.
Rance headed overseas at the end of last season and turned out as an allrounder for the Louth Club in Lincolnshire, playing in a league he describes as "about Hawke Cup level".
"It was good and I would love to be able to return to England but I'm keeping my options open," he said. "I don't know what offers might come along between now and then. I was the top wicket-taker, bagging 39 wickets, and ended up scoring a hundred in a Twenty20 game. I feel I was successful".
The affable 23-year-old Greytown, Wairarapa and Central Districts allrounder touched down on Monday from his trip to South Africa as a member of the Central team which participated in the Champions League Twenty20 competition, brimming with "phenomenal" memories of the experience.
"It was something I may never replicate in my entire cricketing career, quite mindboggling. Amazing, totally amazing - the whole thing was almost unreal."
He was referring to the hype surrounding the event. "It was all over the television, billboards, you name it. We were treated like superstars everywhere we went."
Rance was amazed at the level of security.
"There were police everywhere. We weren't allowed out as individuals, we went everywhere as a team. We had police escorts to every training and every game, at least four police cars. There were extensive bomb checks before every training, every game, even before we got on the bus".
Central hardly covered itself in glory but Rance was pleased with his contribution.
"I played in two games, against the Aussie outfit, Victoria, in Jo'burg and then the final game against the Sri Lankan side, Wayamba, in the final game in Port Elizabeth. I batted at No9 and ended up with four not out. Not too bad considering the result."
Central used him mainly as a middle-overs bowler at the tournament, with the brief to be as economical as possible.
"I did okay and in fact ended up with the most economical figures in my first game. I held my own and came through without any niggling injuries."
Rance said the tournament was full-on, with only four days off during the four weeks. "We did get to one national park but that was about all. If we weren't practising we were playing."
Rance is raring to go with the coming New Zealand season, starting this coming Saturday when he turns out for Greytown in a warm-up game at Rathkeale College against a Wellington team.
"Yep, I'm keen. I'll be staying loyal to the Wairarapa. I like to think I can get the message out there that if you're playing well for your club and for Wairarapa, then you'll earn further recognition."
Rance was referring to his inclusion in the Central team last season, an achievement he is keen to repeat.
"I missed out this season on a contract. But then I didn't have one last season either and still ended up getting the higher accolades. My aim this season is to play a lot for CD and also help Wairarapa win the Hawke Cup."
On a personal level, Rance said he aimed to cement his position as a genuine allrounder - "becoming a recognised No6 would be fine".
He emphasised his need to focus more on his batting.
"Technically, I'm fine with the batting, it's just the mental side of things. There was an incident a couple of seasons back which has never really cleared my mind. I'm working on it, though.
"Bowling, I feel fine. I'm fit and am learning to listen to my body. I'm still young and have years ahead. I'm firing them down around the mid-130k mark. Maybe with time I'll be in to the 140s".
Regardless of whether he has the "willow" or the "cherry" in his hands, this domestic season is shaping up as one in which Rance can notch fresh achievements.