It pains Michael Schofield to admit it but even the veteran Karaka star acknowledges arch-rivals Pukekohe Metro will start the Counties Manukau club cricket season as favourites.
Pukekohe Metro enjoyed a superb 2020-21 season, winning all four major trophies and completing a perfect campaign.
Karaka achieved a similar feat in 2019 and the rivalry between the two clubs is well and truly alive. But with so many players from both sides featuring in the Counties Manukau representative set-up, the rivalry is fierce but healthy.
“Any season where our great rivals Puke clean it up is going to leave a pretty sour taste in your mouth,” Schofield told Counties Sports Hub.
“Every season that we don’t quite get where we wanted you lose key moments. We certainly did that last year – we couldn’t quite finish off or our depth got tested on occasion and it didn’t quite stand up as well as we would have liked.
“I can see that being fixed up this year.
“We had three players in the Premier Points top five with Luke Williamson winning it and we have a few young guys coming through.
“Pukekohe won those key moments and that is why they had such a fantastic season. We had Puke 100-8 chasing about 200 and then Kurt Barnes – their inspirational leader – came out and whacked 48 or something off 20 balls and got them home.”
With the 2021-22 season set to get underway next week, COVID restrictions permitting, Schofield admits the likes of Karaka and Manukau City will start the season chasing the all-conquering Pukekohe Metro outfit.
“I do see us chasing them – I don’t like saying that,” Schofield laughed. “It was an amazing season and they thoroughly deserved that.
“But because they were so much better, everyone had to lift their games and I think towards the end of the season it got closer.”
A fascinating season awaits with Papakura boasting some young talent that should help bring them forward while newcomers Weymouth and Southern Counties will add a new dimension to the competition.
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