It has been 30 years in the making, but the Knights can now proudly display two competition trophies in their trophy cabinet after securing the Plunket Shield yesterday.
The Knights led the Plunket Shield table by eight points and only needed to secure first innings points against the Stags in Napier to claim the Plunket Shield, which they did successfully yesterday. It’s their second trophy this season after trumping the Auckland Aces in the domestic One-Day final.
Northern Districts Cricket Association CEO David Cooper is looking forward to seeing two bright, shiny trophies in his trophy cabinet. “It is a fantastic achievement by the Knights players and management team to win two trophies. It has been a long time since the traditional “double” has been won by anybody, and 30 years since Northern Districts have done it,” he said. “The two trophies are a tribute to the hard work done prior to the season, as well as in season, by a talented group of players.”
Knights coach Grant Bradburn is thrilled with the dedication and drive his team and the wider ND staff members have shown and he said it’s nice to bring home the goods to recognise their hard work. “I’m very proud of the boys and all our staff. It’s been a hard slog but it’s very satisfying.”
The team were able to secure the Plunket Shield before lunch yesterday so they celebrated at the break before heading into the afternoon session of their four-day game against the Stags in Napier. “The Plunket Shield is a tough grind,” Bradburn said. “So we celebrated at lunchtime yesterday and we got the guitars out last night and had a sing.
“I’m so very proud of the guys and the whole staff. It recognises the time and effort we have put into the guys and culture here at ND,” Bradburn beamed.
The final day of competition is tomorrow and Bradburn said everyone is looking forward to putting their feet up and reflecting on one of the most successful seasons ever for the major association. “We are all really tired and there’s been a lot of cricket this year. Everyone’s been into it and committed, but we are all looking forward to getting back to our families.”
Knights’ captain James Marshall is thrilled with the Plunket Shield victory. It’s the second trophy he’s been able to get his hands on this season. “The boys worked hard for it and we had a couple of celebratory drinks,” he said. “This is something special. Cricketers don’t often get the opportunity to have two trophies in one season so this is something the guys will cherish for the rest of their career.”
He puts their victory down to hard work and sacrifice, by not only the team, but the wider ND support crew. “There’s been a lot of sacrifice and there’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes that you don’t see, so this trophy pays tribute to them,” he said. “and to our fans I just want to say thank you for hanging in there during the tough times and supporting us in the good times. We’ve really noticed the support right round ND.”
The team will be having a big celebration tomorrow, to celebrate three very special things. “We’re all getting together to celebrate the Plunket Shield and the end of the season. And Michael Parlane is having his stag do too, so that will be good fun,” Marshall smiled.
