Cup final moved after Easts complain

The Pearce Cup final will be played on neutral soil after Cricket Wellington performed a U-turn on the host venue.

Karori Park was earmarked for the three-day club cricket final (April 2-4) between Eastern Suburbs and Karori, but it has been switched to Barton Oval after complaints from Easts.

Cricket Wellington development manager Peter Clinton admitted yesterday the issue of neutrality was one of the reasons for the decision.

He added Barton Oval had been chosen because it had been one of the best-performing club pitches in the region.

Easts captain Lance Dry told The Dominion Post this month that the original plan to play the final at Karori was "irrational and illogical".

"Any sportsman worth their salt knows how important home advantage is," Dry said.

But it wasn't all good news for Easts, with Clinton ruling former Black Cap Paul Hitchcock ineligible for the final.

Dry had made noises about flying former Easts player Hitchcock down from Auckland, where he plays for Takapuna, but Clinton said that went against the spirit of club sport.

In final round Pearce Cup two-dayers starting today, Easts play Taita, University meet Karori, Naenae Old Boys face Onslow and North City plays hosts to Hutt District.

- © Fairfax NZ News