The WTTU Siberians and WTTU Javans faced off in the Nelson Cricket third grade final at Jubilee Park on Saturday, but for Javans’ opening batter and Motueka local Caden Hobbs, the match carried a far deeper meaning.
Caden and his daughter, fellow Javans player Emmalia, coached TK Hadzhikostov through the Motueka Cricket Club junior programme. Eight-year-old TK died suddenly last Saturday, and Caden says he was determined to honour the young player’s memory.
“I had a reason to go out there and play like I did on Saturday, I wanted to score a hundred for him. I was knackered but knew I had to keep going to honour his memory.”
After winning the toss, the Javans may have regretted their decision to bowl as the Siberians piled on 258 from their 40 overs. Standout batter Ricky Carey smashed 113 off 74 balls, his second century of the season.
On a beautiful Jubilee Park wicket, Caden then took command. He produced the knock of the season, scoring an unbeaten 167 off 130 balls to steer the Javans home in the final over. There were nervy moments, but his desire to produce something special for TK kept him driving forward.
“I was so determined to get to 100 for TK that when Regan Armstrong came out to bat and said we had to increase the run rate, I told him there was something more important than that just for now. I knocked it around to get the three figures, and then we went for it. It was pretty special.”
Caden ranks the innings among the top three of his career, perhaps only behind a double century he made 18 months ago.
“This one means more, though.”
