With the Auckland cricket season having been severely disrupted by the Covid-19 lockdown, Takapuna District Cricket Club’s reigning National Men’s Club Champions and Women’s Provincial Champions were looking forward to finally getting under way in the first weekend in December.

The Takapuna Men’s successful campaign at the National Club Champs resulted in their beating Kapiti, the Wellington Club Champs, in a very tight final. They’re now looking to continue that form into a re-shaped Premier competition that focuses heavily on one-day and T-20 formats due to the number of days lost through lockdown. Takapuna Women’s Premier team is also keen to continue their winning ways, having secured both the one-day and T-20 championships last season.

With the acquisition of some proven senior performers and another year under the belts of their relatively young squad, the Men’s team is shaping up for another successful campaign. Led by captain, Matt Jones, and with the opportunity to call on their four Auckland Aces players when available, the internal competition for starting spots in both the Premier and Reserve teams will negate any hint of complacency and bodes well for continued strong performances throughout the upcoming season.

Likewise, the Ponies (Women’s) team has a young squad who are aiming to use a further year’s experience to keep moving onwards and upwards, and will be led by their proven Auckland Hearts player and Taka stalwart Roz McNeill.

Takapuna District Cricket Club additionally has a record number of Junior teams registered for this season’s competitions despite the lockdown, Their popular Friday night Kookaburra Cup for aspiring six to nine year-olds is all ready to go as soon as allowed, and club officials report that all the other Senior Women’s and Men’s teams are full, fit and fizzing!
If you’d like to find out when any of the teams are playing to come down and support them, check out the Takapuna Cricket website at www.takapunacricket.co.nz or the Takapuna Cricket Facebook page.