Whanganui secured first innings points in a rain-affected Furlong Cup match against Horowhenua-Kāpiti at Levin’s Donnelly Park last weekend, with young stars Oscar Mabin and Connor O’Leary making the difference.
After a delayed start on Saturday, Whanganui’s openers Nick Harding and Ben Smith laid a steady foundation. Harding struck a fluent 65 off 93 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, while Smith contributed a patient 59 from 187 deliveries. By the end of day one, Whanganui had reached 118-2.
Horowhenua-Kāpiti’s bowlers hit back on Sunday, with Carter Andrews taking 4-64 and Prabodha Liyanage chipping in with 3-32. Just as Whanganui’s innings faltered, Mabin launched a crucial counterattack. Batting at No. 9, the 18-year-old smashed 60 off 71 balls, including two sixes, in a game-changing 62-run last-wicket stand with O’Leary. Their partnership lifted Whanganui to 252.
With the ball, Mabin struck in the first over, dismissing Horowhenua-Kāpiti opener Nicholas Donnelly. The home side struggled to build partnerships as Whanganui’s seamers kept chipping away. Liyanage led the resistance with a composed 81 off 113 balls, anchoring the chase.
However, O’Leary and Mabin continued to make key breakthroughs. O’Leary, playing his 50th match for Whanganui, took 3-55, while Mabin picked up 3-42, removing danger man Andrews for 29. Liyanage added a quick 26 runs with last man Caleb O’Connell before O’Leary trapped him lbw, sealing first innings points for Whanganui.
Coach Warren Marr praised his team’s fightback after last season’s struggles. “Considering we were knocked over for 60 last year, it was very satisfying,” he said.
Captain Greg Smith highlighted Mabin and O’Leary’s performances. “Oscar has fantastic character, and Connor showed he’s always fighting for the team,” he said.
Score Summary
Whanganui 1st Innings: 252 (Harding 65, Smith 59, Mabin 60; Andrews 4-64, Liyanage 3-32)
Horowhenua-Kāpiti 1st Innings: 211 (Liyanage 81, Tonks 35; Mabin 3-42, O’Leary 3-55)
Result: Match drawn. Whanganui take first innings points.