Dish the dirt - Blake Douglas, Takapuna
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Action from Takapuna's Jeff Crowe Cup final victory on Sunday
For Our latest 'Dish the dirt' interview we caught up with a jubilant Blake Douglas less than 24 hours after his Takapuna side captured the Jeff Crowe Cup with a 26 run victory over Suburbs New Lynn.
"Elliott Herd and Coel Mahoney got us off to a great start," said Douglas "putting on over 100 for the first wicket. They tied us down in the middle overs but Jono Sole and Greg Johnson put on a big partnership at the end to get us up to a total we felt confident we could defend."
With 260 on the board Suburbs had to contend with a three pronged spin attack who Douglas believes are responsible for keeping Suburbs to 234 in reply: "We knew Colin Maiden would be pretty flat so had no hesitation in taking three spinners. Elliott Herd and Jordi Gibbens were excellent but Jason Donnelly was the pick of the bowlers taking four wickets and bowling brilliantly in tandem with Paul Hitchcock at the end."
Both Hitchcock and Donnelly have plenty of experience in pressure situations and Douglas was pleased to be able to call on that in such a big game: "Both of those guys have played first class cricket so they know how to cope in that environment and more importantly they know how to bowl on such a flat pitch."
While Taka's two-day season hasn't quite gone to plan Douglas, who took over the captaincy from Ryan Scivier half way through this season, is delighted to have been a part of a resurgence in their one-day fortunes: "In the last two years we have won the two-day title but have lost the one-day semi's in both years. This year one major goal for us was to go one better and reach the final, then to beat a Suburbs side who have dominated all three forms of the game this season was fantastic."
Douglas' side are currently in sixth position on the Hedley Howarth Trophy standings but he isn't ruling out a top four spot for his side just yet: "We have one huge game left against Papatoetoe and we probably need to push for an outright to keep our title hopes alive so we will be going hard. Whatever happens in that game I believe our future is bright, we have lots of good youngsters coming through so everything is feeling positive around the club."
Who is the biggest sledger?
Jason Donnelly is always good for a chat.
Who never moves the sightscreen?
We're actually all pretty good with that one.
Who is always late to trainings/games?
Paul Hitchcock turned up half an hour late yesterday so I would say it has to be him.
Who has the messiest kitbag?
That would be me. My gear is usually spread to all parts of the changing room.
Who never buys a round?
We have a few younger guys who don't spend too much, but I would have to say Elliott Herd probably takes that one.
Who always bowls into the wind?
Ian Smallburn without question. He has been at the club for more than a decade and always takes the new ball into the wind.
Who is the best fielder?
Jono Sole.
Who is the fitest player in the side?
Ryan Scivier.