Teams show flair on pitch

The Stags won't be giving up their rugby careers to chase an Indian Premier League contract – that was highlighted last night when they took part in a festival cricket game.

However, the Stags players and management still had enough talent and enthusiasm to turn in an entertaining show as they traded their rugby boots for cricket shoes last night.

One team was captained by Jamie Mackintosh, the other by Matt Saunders, and it was the Saunders XI who got first turn at bat at Queens Park.

Leading from the front was Stags coach Simon Culhane, who posted 57 opening the batting.

With the support of Fai Mika, who hit some lusty blows in his 36, the Saunders XI racked up an impressive 167 from their 20 overs.

Young Stags first five-eighth Robbie Robinson showed enough promise with the ball to suggest he wouldn't look too far out of place opening the bowling for the Southland men's cricket team.

He was too quick for most of the batsmen in the Saunders XI and even chucked in a cheeky short delivery at his coach Culhane early in the innings.

The Stags team doctor Peter Finlayson might not have had the same quick pace of Robinson but he still proved dangerous, with his floating deliveries picking up Kelly Hansen and Micheal Peterson in successive deliveries.

Robinson also led the way with the bat for his team as Mackintosh's boys tried to chase down 167.

Robinson clubbed 49 runs, and with Mark Wells (22) they progressed their team to a chance of victory.

But wickets continued to fall, Stags manager Leicester Rutledge the last to go in the final over with his team's score on 152.

The Super 14 players who tested out their cricket skills last night will now quickly turn back the focus to rugby when they start Highlanders training in Dunedin on Monday.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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