Tara Murray
It was a perfect return home for Rupertswood coach Matt Twentyman who opened the season with a century in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
Twentyman played a leading role in Rupo’s first up win against Sunbury Kangaroos on a rain affected day.
Rupertswood made 9-259 from 44 overs, before the Kangaroos finished 8-248 off 41 overs, with Rupo getting the win on Duckworth-Lewis Stern.
Twentyman was the star of the show making 112 off 98 balls.
“It was a great start to the year,” Twentyman said. “To be honest I was just looking to put in a good performance.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Rupo was in trouble at 3-14 before Twentyman and Max Howell came together. The pair put on 168 for the fourth wicket partnership to turn the innings back in the favour of Rupo.
The tail kept wagging to push Rupo past 250.
Twentyman said from where they were it was a good score, but he knew it was game on with their ground a small one.
Adam Fearnley took six wickets for the Kangaroos.
The rain meant players were on and off the field for much of the day. It made bowling hard.
“The ball was like a bar of soap,” Twentyman said. “We were ahead half way through their innings.
“We didn’t bowl where we would have liked after that and they got back into the game. It tightened up but we were able to get over the line.”
Joe Honner took four wickets for Rupo, while Twentyman took three wickets.
Russell Phillips top scored with 75 for the Kangaroos.
It was a perfect start for Rupertswood after a big off season.
As well as getting Twentyman into the fold they’ve been able to add in some recruits, including premiership player Kevin Barker who approached the club to return home.
Twentyman said Barker brings plenty of experience.
“He missed out with the bat, but the experience he brings especially helping me as a first time coach is invaluable,” he said.
“The young guys in the team, he gets around them and shares his experience with them.”
Rupo will have two English players set to join the side in the next few weeks.
Rohan Hosken is a 19-year-old all rounder and Cam Bruce is a 20–year-old batting all rounder.
“We’ve added a few guys from last year,” Twentyman said. “It makes it hard at selection, so that’s a good position to be in.
“The second XI had a good win as well and guys are putting their hands up to push into the side.”
Rupo faces Broadford in round two.
Broadford made a positive start to life in the McIntyre Cup, putting on more than 250 on the board against Sunbury United.
It will be the first time that Rupertswood has played Broadford, so it will be a new challenge.
