By Dale Budge
Pukekohe Metro will head to Galloway Park in Hamilton to face Marist Suburbs in the Spark Regional Competition final on Saturday.
The in-form Pukekohe Metro outfit comes into the game having beaten two of the competition’s top sides in convincing fashion over the past couple of weeks to put themselves into a position where they can claim regional honours.
“This was a big goal of ours at the start of the season – to make this final,” Pukekohe Metro skipper Cameron Hardwick told Counties Sports Hub.
“We had had wins with the bonus point over the top two sides in the past couple of weekends and we are confident we can get the job done.
“It is exciting for the club.”
Hardwick has been one of a number of Pukekohe Metro players to stand out during the competition – the spinner has claimed 13 wickets at an incredible average of 6.31 including a best of 7/14 while opener Declan O’Brien has 12 wickets at 9.08. On the batting side of things Thomas Parima leads the competition in total runs scored with 324 at a whopping average of 162 while Jonathan Keen is averaging 57.
“Cricket is a long game and it is all about winning the big moments,” Hardwick explained.
“We have a lot of natural talent in our side and we have plenty of experience as well – having that mixture is the key to success.
“We have had different players stand up and perform for us each week and I have total confidence in every member of our squad.
“We have some big game or finals experience having played in the [Inder Lynch Counties Manukau] T20 final earlier in the season.
“We also get Northern Knights contracted player Katene Clarke back for this game so that will be a big boost for us.”
Clarke’s inclusion is massive for the visitors – he has scored three half centuries already this season for the Knights and is averaging over 32 with the bat through his 16 limited overs games.
Pukekohe Metro topped Pool 2 with five wins, a loss and a match abandoned while Marist Suburbs were unbeaten to top Pool 1 with six wins and a match abandoned.
“We haven’t played them yet with this competition being in just its second year,” Hardwick said. “Looking through their squad on paper they have three or four Hamilton players.
“We expect to see much the same as we see from the other Hamilton sides – they will play hard and be a quality side.”
While Galloway Park is not quite the friendly confines of Bledisloe Park in Pukekohe, Hardwick is adamant the trip south does not faze his team.
“We’ve played there twice already this season – we were there a couple of weeks ago when we bowled Melville out for 120 and chased it down in 20 overs.
“So we have a good track record there.”
And what would victory on Saturday mean for Hardwick and his Pukekohe Metro club?
“It would be huge for the club and for Counties Manukau Cricket. To win this competition for our club and for the wider region would be a pretty big thing.”
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