The finalists have been found for the HRV Cup after two thrilling matches in the last round of competition. The much anticipated final will take place on Sunday at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth between competition leaders the Central Stags and second placed Auckland Aces.
The final round matches, which were effectively semi finals, keep the large crowds, television and online audience on the edge of their seats.
The Aces v Volts game came down to an “eliminator over” as the scores at the end of the game were all square. The Volts came out on top, however the Aces went through to the final because of a superior net run rate.
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Aces captain Gareth Hopkins said there were mixed emotions after the game yesterday. “Obviously it is always disappointing to walk off with a loss and not having the final at home,” he said. “We are looking back to see what we can do better for Sunday.”
Hopkins believes the Aces’ are strong in the shorter forms of the game and with the team currently sitting at top of the one day table and in the final for the HRV Cup it goes to show the talent and depth of their squad. “It’s not just one or two players doing well, everyone in the top seven have won a game with the bat, so that’s encouraging and the bowlers are getting better with each game,” he said. “The first couple of games were well below par but with each performance we are getting better.”
The ultimate prize is the HRV Cup and a place in the Champions League where they take on the best domestic Twenty20 sides in the world. Hopkins is keen for the Acess to win the final but is keeping his tactics close to his chest, “We think the Stags’ strength is with the bat, however we are concentrating on what we do well.”
After the HRV Cup final Hopkins will go into camp with the BLACKCAPS in preparation for the Bangladesh series which starts on February 3. “It’s always great playing for the BLACKCAPS. I love playing for the BLACKCAPS and to be selected again is a great feeling,” he concluded.
HRV Cup Final
Central Stags v Auckland Aces
Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
Sunday, 31 January 2010
1:30pm
