SHORE SPORTS: Takapuna Cricket Comes of Age
It has been a long time between drinks for Takapuna Cricket, but they've come back in style by winning the Auckland Premier Two Day Cricket Championship and are now the proud holders of the Hedley Howarth Trophy.
It had been 21 years since Takapuna last won a major premier cricket title. That team included current New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan, as well as other well-known ex-players such as Jason Mills, Alex O'Dowd and Chris Pringle.
"There were some great individual performances this season but the reason the side was so successful was the team spirit," explains Premier captain Ryan Scivier. ''We have been together as a squad now for two to three years and we know how each other play and we love playing together."
The team started the season well, coming third in the Twenty/20 competition, losing only one game to a Suburbs New Lynn side filled with international and first class players. Scivier's team also made it through to the playoffs of the One Day Competition. But it is the two day major championship where the team's really measure themselves and Takapuna proved to be the best in this long form of the game.
"It is fair to say we have under achieved in the previous couple of seasons in the two day competition and we really wanted to prove a point this year," adds Ryan Scivier. "With a mix of experience and youth this year we had a very balanced side. It also helped that we didn't have many players coming and going with first class cricket commitments. Big highlights from the season were the four outright wins we had against quality opposition."
"There were some stand out performers with none being better than former Black Cap Paul Hitchcock. Having 'Hitchy' around for the majority of the season was a huge boost for the team. His match-winning performances this year were a huge part of our success, when it got tough you knew Hitchy would do something special, his experience on and off the field this year was amazing for the team and especially the young players coming through.''
Hitchcock, who has been playing premier cricket at Takapuna since 1992 was named the Auckland Cricket Association Club Cricketer of the Year for the 2009/2010 season. He made his first class debut for Auckland in 1999 and first played international cricket for New Zealand in 2002 when he toured the West Indies with the Black Caps. His last match for the Black Caps was in February 2008. Due to these international and first class commitments Hitchcock has been in and out of the Takapuna team over the last few years. This year he was involved with HRV Twenty/20 competition with the Wellington Firebirds in January but only missed a handful of games.
The return of 18-year-old batsman and big game player Craig Cachopa late in the season, after captaining his country at the Under 19 World Cup, was also a big boost for the team and his 87 in the final against North Shore confirms that he is a big game player and one to watch out for the future.
All rounder Greg Johnson had a huge season as well. This was Johnson's fourth season with Takapuna and it was easily his best, taking over 50 wickets and scoring 400 runs for the season. He was rewarded with an Auckland 'A' call up late in the season and is currently training with the ACES pre-season squad. Greg was named Auckland Cricket Association's Most Improved Cricketer and also won the Player's Player Award which was voted on by captain's right across the Auckland competition.
Another key component for the Takapuna prems was coach Neil Fletcher. 'Fletch' has been involved with many winning teams in the past, including club and school first elevens teams in Christchurch during a stint in the South Island. Having played most of his senior club cricket with East Coast Bays, Fletcher thought it time to get back involved with cricket on the Shore and Takapuna were only too pleased to call on his experience to guide the young premier side. Fletcher's successful first season with Takapuna did not go unnoticed as he picked up the Auckland Cricket Association Club Coach of the Year Award.
Celebrated former Black Cap and Takapuna player Lou Vincent also played two games for the team while he was in the country playing in the HRV Twenty/20 for Auckland. Lou has played with Takapuna for many years. He is currently living and playing in the UK.
It wasn't just the premier side taking all the glory at Onewa Domain though. It was a very successful season for the whole Takapuna club. The Premier Reserves team won their Twenty/20 campaign and Third Grade won their grade and the club also won countless junior and age-group titles. These performances led to Takapuna winning the Auckland Cricket Association Club of the Year Award, which is measured on the overall success of the club throughout all grades.
The junior club had a record year with a record number of junior players playing down at Onewa Domain. With parents and senior player's coaching and umpiring, Onewa was a busy and exciting place to be on warm Saturday mornings.
Takapuna Cricket are not neglecting the social side of the game either. The club always has something happening and this year the first annual TDCC Business House Cricket League was held on Wednesday evenings. This was a 14 over eight-a-side competition which had eight businesses from the North Shore involved. This was a huge success with everyone enjoying the cricket and the beer afterwards! All businesses are looking forward to next season's competition.
For any further information, or to join the champion Takapuna Cricket Club, visit www.takapunacricket.co.nz
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