Mid Canterbury chasing rare trophy win

By Jonathan Leask November 4 2011

The Ron Biggar Memorial is up for grabs this weekend, but it's a trophy the Mid Canterbury senior cricket team has not claimed in five seasons.

South Canterbury has had a firm hold on the trophy since 2006 when they beat Mid Canterbury by four runs to prise it south and hasn't relinquished it since, taking a 14-run win last year.
"We haven't managed to win it in a while but we have been close, but strangely we manage to beat them in the Hawke Cup," Mid Canterbury coach Richard Pithey said.
Mid Canterbury heads to Aorangi Oval in Timaru for the annual 50 over fixture hoping to change that record.
Current captain Des Kruger and vice captain Richard Print were both on hand when Mid Canterbury fell four runs shy of retaining the trophy.
Following on from a solid losing effort against Christ-church Suburban last week-end Mid Canterbury has named a well-rounded side quite capable of bringing the trophy home.
The only changes to the XI see the spin twins Ben Mably and Thomas Meyrick come into the side in with Rhys Phillips coming in to make his debut.
"Rhys comes to us from Dunedin wanting to play Hawke Cup cricket and get more opportunities at a higher level and Hawke Cup provides that platform.
"He is a leg spinner who bats in the middle order with previous experience at Otago A level, and he will be a good addition to the side as well as coach the under 16 and year 9 teams."
The addition of the three spinners sees a strong bowling attack with Dan Hurley and Dan Thomas both taking regular wickets at club level and Hurley picking up three Suburban wickets last weekend.
Print will need no introduction to the South Canterbury batsmen, Kruger has been in good form with the ball and then add Jason Morrison to the mix for an eight choice bowling attack.
"We have a lot of options with the ball, and with three spinners they will play an important role in the match," Pithey said.
Mid Canterbury isn't light on batting either with ability from one to 11.
"Thomas Meyrick is down to bat 11 and he is coming off scoring 40 against St Bedes this week so everyone is able to chip in which is perfect for the limited overs format."
South Canterbury also has a new danger batsman with English import Ed Kilbee, while Bill Walsh struck 63 against the Canterbury Wizards in a preseason match and they have the experienced Craig Davies and James Laming to fall back on.

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