The Counties Manukau men’s cricket side has drawn their match against Hamilton at Galloway Park over the weekend with home side claiming first innings honours.
While outplayed for a large portion of the match, Tarun Nethula’s side showed some promise and will take plenty out of their performance.
The Hamilton side boasted six players that have played professionally before and a second day fightback saw the Counties Manukau side in a position to cause an upset result.
Sam Varcoe won the toss and opted to bat first and he would have been reasonably pleased with his openers guiding the side through the first 18 overs.
But the introduction of Hamilton spinners Joe and Freddy Walker turned the match the home side’s way as they took wickets at regular intervals and eventually had the visitors all out for a disappointing 106.
Number five Sandeep Patel fought hard and top-scored with 36.
Hamilton found the going tough as well but ex-Black Caps batsman Anton Devcich decided the best form of defence was attack as he smashed 89 off just 55 balls to help Hamilton open up a 94-run lead on the first innings.
Patel was the pick of the bowlers, backing up his batting, as he took 4/27.
The Counties Manukau second innings was much better as Varcoe led from the front – scoring a quality 116 – his second century at this level – while he got help from former Black Cap Jeet Raval (43) and Patel (48).
They were dismissed for 276, leaving Hamilton a target of 182 in 16 overs.
Counties Manukau made some in-roads and had Hamilton teetering at 60-5 after eight overs.
But the home side calmly closed shop and finished 106-5 when play ended.
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