8 April, 2025

Takapuna Cricket Club pipped for title despite big win

Takapuna Cricket Club’s premiers thrashed Grafton in their final match of the season but missed out on winning the Hedley Howarth two-day competition by less than a point.
Frontrunners Parnell beat Suburbs New Lynn last Saturday to remain unbeaten for the season and capture the trophy. But Takapuna, after a great run of form since New Year, was in with a chance right up until the last afternoon’s play.
Takapuna declared at 355 for 8 in its first innings before dismissing Grafton for 94 and enforcing the follow-on.
Wickets fell steadily on the second day last Saturday – including a brilliant run-out by Toby Douglas – with Grafton all out for 96.
Takapuna had a team photo taken, but it was a slightly subdued picture as they were still waiting on the Parnell result.
Captain Matt Jones, who set a club record of 77 wickets for the season, was philosophical about the championship outcome. “We are rebuilding with a young side,” he said. “We came second in two competitions (two-day and T20) and made the semi-finals in the other (the Jeff Crowe one-day competition), so it was a good season for us.”
Takapuna lost to Parnell in its first match, but it was probably a rain-affected game against North Shore that cost them the title. Around 20 overs were lost to rain, rulling out the outright win that would have had them topping the table.

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