Buller has written itself into 106 years of New Zealand cricket history today by taking the prized Hawke Cup off Canterbury Country — in Buller's first ever Hawke Cup challenge.
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Buller claimed the Cup on the first innings after a tense last over at Rangiora's Mainpower Oval, against a strong side that included Canterbury representatives Henry Shipley and Will Williams (who had claimed an astounding nine for 38 in the first innings), and former Canterbury batting powerhouse Shanan Stewart.
It was the first Hawke Cup challenge of the season, and one that will be talked about for some time on the both sides of the South Island.
Listen to Buller captain Troy Scanlon talking to the Crowd Goes Wild Breakfast show on the following morning here.
Such is the resonance of the achievement that a public welcoming for the Buller team was held on Monday at the Westport clocktower.
In a fast-moving three-dayer, after rain had delayed the start of day one until the afternoon, Canterbury Country had needed 19 off the final over to hold onto the silverware.
Meanwhile, Buller captain Tony Scanlon took it on himself to try to stop them.
Andrew Robertson struck his first two deliveries for a four and six, with another needed off the final delivery.
Buller's players rushed to their supporters when Country could only manage 184 for six.
The heroic Scanlon ended with four for 100 and to go with his five for 29 in the first innings.
Read the background story here on Buller's path to the historic first challenge.
Photos courtesy of Buller Cricket
Buller is one of New Zealand's smallest Minor Associations, its club competition consisting of just four teams who play on artificial pitches, with high school students forming one team and a core of only 25 to 30 regular senior players. In true Coaster style, players travel impressive hours, from as far as Greymouth in the south and Karamea in the north, just to train.
Yet the rep team prospered at international venue Saxton Oval, where their runfest against Nelson in their zone-three elimination match earlier this month earned them their historic challenge against the now former holders Canterbury Country.
Its first defence will be against one of New Zealand's other smallest Minor Associations, North Otago.
