It is that time of year again. The 31st Gillette Cup NZSS Boys’ First XI cricket tournament gets underway this Tuesday at Lincoln University, and with no tournament last year we should be in for a cracking five days of cricket this time around. The Gillette Cup first began in 1990 and was won first by Palmerston North Boys’ High School (PNBHS). It is one of the longest continuously running competitions in secondary school sport, recent Covid disruptions aside. It consists of six teams from the major cricketing associations around New Zealand. Each team plays each other once in a 50-over format over five days and whoever finishes top of the table at the end of the round-robin series (traditionally a Friday, this year a Sunday) is crowned champion. 2022 Teams and their Associations:
The list of former players of the tournament reads quite well boasting plenty of former and current Blackcaps, including now England Test Coach Brendon McCullum (King’s High School, 2000), BJ Watling (Hamilton Boys’, 2022), Corey Anderson (Christchurch Boys’), Tim Southee (King’s College, Award was shared in 2006), Kane Williamson (Tauranga Boys’, 2007) and Rachin Ravindra (HIBS, 2015). Six Players that could change the game at any time for their side: Harrison Wills - MAGS - Wills is the top wicket-taker in Auckland’s Premier Boys College competition, taking 19 wickets in eight games and picking up two five wicket hauls. He took 5-9 in their season opener against Westlake Boys’.Then most notably took figures of six overs, five maidens, seven runs for seven wickets as top of the table MAGS bowled out second place St Kent’s for 76 runs. Harsh Patel - Tauranga Boys’ College - Harsh was a key part when Tauranga Boys’ won the Super Eight competition in February. Patel with 10 victims finished second highest wicket taker behind fellow teammate Jack Jones who took thirteen wickets. Patel is also a handy middle order batsman, making 70 not out off 90 balls as Tauranga defeated Hamilton Boys’ by four wickets in the final. Charlie Pawson - Napier Boys’ High School - Pawson is an opening wicket keeper - batsman for Napier Boys’ who currently sit top of the Complete Paints Championship Trophy. Pawson sits third on the highest run scorer list making three half centuries with a best of 79 against Havelock North and an average just over 50. Sacha Pickering is one to look out for as well, second highest wicket taker with 15 scalps including best figures of 4/33 against Hastings Boys. Lachie Bailey - Hutt International Boys’ School - Mr. Reliable in recent seasons and will want nothing more than to go out a winner in his final few games for HIBS. In the Term One competition Bailey made three half centuries with a highest score of 92 against Wellington College on his way to 270 runs in six games with an average of 54. In the same game he also took 5-17 in nine overs. He along with opening bowler Nathan Edmonds also in his final year at HIBS will be crucial in the wicket-taking department for HIBS over the five days. Hamish Wilson - Otago Boys’ High School - Wilson sits fourth highest on the list of overall wicket takers in the Dunedin Second Grade competition with 16 wickets. Taking his best figures of 4-27 in a close 17-run victory over Kings High School, in the same game he made a handy 25 down the order to help Otago to 195. Nick Gibb – Christ’s College. Christ’s College’s captain Nick Gibb has the skills and temperament to contribute to match-winning performances with both bat and ball. Look for him to lead from the front this week. Some history and past highlights: There have been four occasions when the Gillette Cup was tied between schools, King’s College (Auckland) being a regular in this statistic. Sharing it in 1999 when, not for the first time, them and Christchurch Boys’ High School couldn't be separated. In 2004 neither King’s or Palmerston North Boys’ could be separated. The year after that Christchurch Boys’ and Tauranga couldn't be split apart, before in 2006 it was back where it all began as King’s Christchurch Boys’ shared the spoils once more. Who could forget some of these monumental Gillette Cup moments? In 2015 fierce rivals Hutt International Boys’ School and Christchurch Boys’ High School met in a nail-biter. Both teams were laden with future stars such as Blackcaps Ben Sears and Rachin Ravindra (both HIBS) and Fraser Sheat and Matthew Hay who have gone on to represent Canterbury at first-class lass level, Batting at number three and top scoring that day with 46 was now All Black Will Jordan. The teams went into a super over with Sears bowling Sanford Heard and Ben Donkers in consecutive balls. Before fellow Firebird Troy Johnson hit a four to win the game in the second ball of HIBS Super Over. The next day eventual winners HIBS would actually lose to eventual runners-up Westlake Boys’ High School, however a combination of a slow run rate and a loss to bottom place finishers Palmerston North Boys’ helped HIBS be crowned champions and end Wellington's 14-year drought of the Gillette Cup. Of past winners, only HIBS and Tauranga Boys’ College are returning this year. Possibly better yet in 2018 in the penultimate day, Wellington College took on King’s College with Wellington College needing a win to head in to Friday’s decider against Christchurch Boys’ top of the table. Wellington College top order batsman Tim Campbell top scored with 78 as Wellington College were bowled out for 235. 62 and 82 from Nathan Robinson and King’s captain Thorn Parkes had them tasting victory, before King’s lost four wickets for zero runs in seven balls to lose by one run and Wellington College went on to defeat Christchurch Boys’ the next day to by crowned 2018 Gillette Cup Champions. Gillette Cup Winners: Including tied titles, Christchurch Boys’ High School are the most prolific winner with 11. By Major Association region, Canterbury have won 12, Auckland seven, Northern Districts and Central Districts five each, Wellington four and Otago two 1990: Palmerston North Boys’ High School 1991: Saint Kentigern College 1992: Otago Boys’ High School 1993: Otago Boys’ High School 1994: Whangarei Boys’ High School 1995: Wanganui Collegiate School 1996: St Patrick's College Silverstream 1997: Wanganui Collegiate School 1998: Palmerston North Boys’ High School 1999: King’s College and Christchurch Boys’ High School (Tied) 2000: Auckland Grammar School 2001: Wellington College 2002: Hamilton Boys’ High School 2003: Hamilton Boys’ High School 2004: Palmerston North Boys’ High School and King’s College (Tied) 2005: Christchurch Boys’ High School and Tauranga Boys’ College (Tied) 2006: Christchurch Boys’ High School and King’s College (Tied) 2007: Christchurch Boys’ High School 2008: Hamilton Boys’ High School 2009: Christchurch Boys’ High School 2010: King’s College 2011: King’s College 2012: Christchurch Boys’ High School 2013: Christchurch Boys’ High School 2014: Christchurch Boys’ High School 2015: Hutt International Boys’ School 2016: Christchurch Boys’ High School 2017: Christchurch Boys’ High School 2018: Wellington College 2019: St Andrew’s College 2020: Christchurch Boys’ High School 2021: No Tournament (Covid) Cric HQ Live Scoring Link: https://www.crichq.com/competitions/9325/draws/57632/rounds Flashback: Photo gallery of when Christchurch Boys’ High School won in December 2017, last day highlights. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.766186693569531&type=3 25/2/2022 Kate Chandler has opposition in a spin “It’s a bloody good backyard,” Kate Chandler laughs when asked where her enthusiasm for cricket started.
The Year 11 at Wellington Girls’ College is one of the leading leg spinners in the capital. Her three older brothers Henry and twins Archie and William played in the Wellington College First XI. Kate took up cricket when she was three. Playing with boys at Wellington College in Year 9 was a wakeup call. “I was bowling pace and being smacked around by bigger, stronger players,” Kate rued. “Henry and Archie bowl leg spin and gave me some pointers on how to do it. I took a couple of wickets the first time I bowled it in a competitive game and thought ‘I can do this.’” Exceptional winter training soon caught the attention of Wellington Blaze selectors. Kate teamed up with Cricket Wellington coach Ivan Tissera and blossomed. In December 2020 she took five wickets in a List A match for the Wellington Blaze against Canterbury. She was 14 years old. Canterbury were 117 for 4 after 35 overs when Chandler sent back Lea Tahuhu, a national team regular. Her other victims were Kate Ebrahim, Laura Hughes, KM Sims and Gabby Sullivan. Chandler even returned a wicket-maiden and a double-wicket-maiden along the way. “That was the first time in my life I’d taken five wickets so it was pretty special, one of those days where everything went to plan. Thamsyn Newton set awesome fields, the keeper was awesome. I didn’t turn it; the girls were just so good at supporting me. “Ivan has taught me a whole lot, how to hold the ball, approach the run up, ironing out flaws in my technique. I’ve still got a lot to learn but I love getting out there and trying new things.” Wellington Girls’ has a relatively new team in 2022 but are unbeaten after two rounds of the Premier I competition. Kate has an economy rate of less than three runs per over and has been retired twice while battering 40 off 20 balls against St Mary’s College and 35 from 23 against St Oran’s College. She plays senior club cricket for Upper Hutt who are in the top four of both the Maureen Peters (T20) and Joy Lamason (one day) competitions. The Wellington Blaze won 11 matches on the trot in sweeping the Super Smash championship this summer. Chandler didn’t feature in that series but very much represents a new breed of young cricketers increasing the quality and enthusiasm of the female game. “A couple of international spinners replaced me so it was hard to find a spot. The Blaze are a well-oiled, professional operation. Everyone is made to feel included, but it’s competitive. When I got wickets I shared a Coke Zero with some of the younger girls which was pretty cool.” The ICC Women’s World Cup starts in New Zealand on March 4. Kate is hopeful New Zealand can win the tournament for the first time since 2000. “The World Cup is going to be unreal. New Zealand has some phenomenal cricketers like Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr and Suzie Bates. If the girls put it together it’s going to be pretty special.”  The boys and girls New Zealand Māori Secondary Schools sides will play the Governor General’s XIs at Wellington’s Karori Park later this month. The inagural secondary schoolgirls team includes players from each of the six Major Associations, including four players who have represented their MAs at Under 19 level: Ocean Bartlett (CD), Sam Mackinder (Wellington), and Angelique Peyroux and Harriet Cuttance (both Otago). The Māori Secondary Schoolboys team is also brimming with emerging talent, including five players from last year’s side as well as Ryan Jackson – a member of the New Zealand Under 19 side. It also includes Payton Spencer, the son of All Black Carlos Spencer. Players from both teams will assemble in Wellington on Tuesday, February 18 and will stay at the Pipitea Marae for the remainder of the week, engaging in many activities, with a focus on connecting with tikanga. The games will be played on Thursday, February 20, with the schoolgirls’ side playing two T20 matches (starting at 10.30am and 3pm) and the schoolboys side playing a 50-over contest (starting at 10.30am). Former BLACKCAPS Test wicket-keeper Adam Parore will join both teams in a support and mentor role, and will be present at the capping ceremony at Pipitea Marae on Wednesday, February 19. Both Māori teams were selected by Northern Districts’ Pat Malcon. The Māori Secondary Schools initiative was the recipient of the ‘Innovation in School Sport’ award in 2019 presented by School Sport NZ (NZSSSC). NZ Māori Schoolboys Name Iwi School Lachie Bailey Ngāti Raukawa & Ngāti Kāhungunu Hutt International Boys School Joel Clark Ngā Puhi & Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu Palmerston North Boys High School Elias Falanitule Te Rarawa Sacred Heart College, Auckland Jacob Gilbert Ngai Tāhu Kings High School, Dunedin Curtis Heaphy Ngai Tāhu Palmerston North Boys High School Ryan Jackson Ngā Māhanga a Tairi St. Patrick’s College Silverstream Kuwyn Price Ngāti Porou & Ngāti Hauā St. Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton Nathan Robinson Ngāti Hei Kings College, Auckland Payton Spencer Ngati Kāhungunu Hamilton Boys High School Brayden Thomas Te Ātiawa Southland Boys High School Alex Thompson Ngā Puhi Onslow College Jamal Todd Ngāti Whātua Auckland Grammar School Head Coach: Duncan Murray, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Assistant Coach: Michael Tillett, Tamaki Makaurau Assistant Coach: Michael Rameka, Ngāti Tūwharetoa NZ Maori Schoolgirls Name Iwi School Ocean Bartlett Ngāti Porou & Ngā Puhi St. Matthew’s Collegiate Waimarie Carter Te Arawa Onslow College Harriet Cuttance Waikato Tainui Columba College Marama Downes Ngāti Tuwharetoa Pakuranga College Ella Drumm Ngāti Porou Epsom Girls Grammar Ella Gibson Tuhoe, Te Aitanga a Mahaki & Ngāti Porou Lincoln High School Kayarna Jones-Dennes Ngati Kāhungunu Wairarapa College Sam Mackinder Te Whānau-ā-Apanui Palmerston North Girls High School Angelique Peyroux Ngai Tāhu Columba College Jess Smith Ngā Puhi & Tainui Kaipara College Anika Todd Ngāti Whātua Mount Albert Grammar School Chelsea Traill Ngā Puhi Whangarei Girls High School Head Coach: Maia Lewis, Ngāti Whātua & Ngāti Maniapoto Assistant Coach: Tanya Morrison, Ngai Tāhu Assistant Coach: Hannah Beatson, Ōtautahi  Interview and story by Wareham Sports Media The Canterbury Under 17s started 2020 off on a high by Claiming their fourth National Men’s Under 17’s title with a record of three wins, one loss and one draw.
Wareham Sports Media had a chat with winning Canterbury captain and opener Matthew Boyle to see what went on in Camp and how much it meant as his side won their first Under 17’s Title since the 2015/26 Competition. How much does it mean to you to not only win the Under 17’s title, not only as a player but as a captain? “Well personally it was my Third National Tournament for Canterbury, and in the Other Two we came Sixth and Fourth I believe, so to win it was an awesome achievement and as Captain just made the win better because the boys I was playing alongside.” You got to play for Canterbury Under 19’s prior to the Under 17’s tournament, What learning did you take out of the 19’s tournament that you wanted to implement on the Under 17’s? “Well I didn’t try to overthink things it was really more for the guys that hadn’t played at Lincoln before, and just letting them know about the grounds and lovely conditions we had! “If anything it was more to do with fielding positioning, I was very lucky with the team I captained because of their high knowledge of the game but also their cricket brains in general they knew what to do with little guidance.” How did you and the team re-focus after the two rest days, and was it difficult to get back going after a day off? “Well as we weren’t staying together we all just went home and did our own things, so when we got to our warm up the day after we knew we had another job to do that day and just to take piece by piece or ball by ball.” Apart from winning the tournament what was the moment of the tournament in your team’s campaign? “To be honest I couldn’t single one out, we had so many outstanding performances with Bat and Ball I couldn’t single one out.” You guys wrapped up the title on the second to last day. Was there any celebration then or wait until the final day was done and dusted? “No real celebrations on that second to last day more just saved to the last day but even so the boys were very chill about it which was cool!” What did the coaches say after you had won it any special messages to the team? “Both coaches Freddy and Bus were very happy obviously and congratulated us all individually but not anything really too crazy.”  Rhys Mariu (right) with his joint Most Valuable Player award from the tournament. PHOTO: John Davidson/BW MEDIA - Full gallery here https://bwmedia.photoshelter.com/gallery/Cricket-Gillette-Cup-Finals-5-December-2019/G000004MPc8I_Kg8/
Story by Hamish Wareham, at Wareham Sports Media Last week Rhys Mariu captained his St Andrew’s College Team to their first Gillette Cup Title, winning four out of five games at the annual NZSS cricket tournament. Victory capped off a good year for Rhys who was named in the New Zealand Under 19’s team for series against Australia and Bangladesh Under 19’s. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mariu to find out about what the week was like on the inside as St Andrew’s won their first Gillette Cup on first arrival at the near thirty year tournament. How had St Andrew’s been results-wise heading into the Gillette Cup? “We were having our best season to date as we hadn't lost a match all term leading into the Gillette Cup Tournament. What were your personal performance goals heading in to the tournament? “I was hoping to score a few more runs than I did. No set amount but I wanted to contribute significantly each day, which I didn’t quite manage. What did it mean to you to captain St Andrew’s College 1st XI, winning their maiden Gillette Cup in the process? “It was something very special to me and something I wanted to do since year 9, so to just captain was very meaningful, and then to have the season we’ve had finishing with our first national title is definitely one of the most memorable moments and seasons. Did the change in pitches have any effect on your team, and how did you readjust? “Going from Lincoln to Hagley wasn’t too difficult as they’re quite similar. Being from Canterbury and having the luxury of having played on most of the grounds before definitely helped us continue to play our brand of cricket, so we didn’t have to change too much. How did the team and you as captain manage to pick yourselves up from the Day Three slip up versus Lindisfarne? “We were pretty gutted, however knowing that most teams had lost at least one game we knew we were still well in the running to win. So we just focused on improving from what we had done and going back to what we had done which worked well for us.” What was the team talk prior to the Hamilton Boys’ High School game and at the end of the first innings? “Before the game we were quite pleased that they (Hamilton Boys’) had sent us into bat. There was nothing different in our preparation leading up to it as we didn’t want to change what was a winning formula. “So we just talked about getting a good start and not losing too many early wickets. In doing so it set us up to hit big in the last few overs to get a good total and then after the first innings having 280 on the board we knew if we bowled and fielded well then it would be a very tough chase.” How is the team boding for next year - who is to watch coming through or hanging around? “Six of us are leaving so there's still a good core of players remaining for next year. Especially Jordy Frew and Zak Foulkes who performed not only brilliantly throughout the tournament week but all season for St Andrew’s College and hopefully will continue to do so in the years to come. Rhys Mariu performances throughout Gillette Cup: Day One: 104 Runs And One Wicket vs Wellington College Day Two: 39 vs Rosmini College Day Three: 3 vs Lindisfarne College Day Four: 19 vs Otago Boys High School Day Five: 89 vs Hamilton Boys High School Total: Runs: 254 Half Century: One Century One: Average: 50.80 Strike Rate: 90.71 Wickets: One  Article by Hamish Wareham - follow Wareham Sports Media HERE
Today was the end of yet another Gillette Cup, with St Andrew’s College taking out the title after Hamilton Boys' High School led for the majority of the week before being beaten for the first time today by StAC who passed them on Net Run Rate In The Process. The final points table was: 1: St Andrew’s College - 8 Points 2: Hamilton Boys High School - 8 Points 3: Wellington College - 6 Points 4: Lindisfarne College - 4 Points 5: Rosmini College - 4 Points 6: Otago Boys High School - 0 Points Below Is My Team Of The Tournament For 2019. 1. Rhys Mariu - St Andrew’s College - Rhys was coming to the Gillette Cup with a big point to prove, after being selected in the New Zealand Under 19’s Tournament for the five match series and only playing in the warm-up game and In the first game of the series. So A good Gillette Cup was a must for Rhys and he did deliver, winning player of the tournament, as well as scoring 254 Runs with one half and one century and with a highest score of 104 on opening day vs defending champions Wellington College. 2. Jacob Cumming - Otago Boys' High School - While results it would be fair to say definitely didn’t go Otago Boys’ way, Cumming was one of the better players in a team that ended the tournament without a win. Scoring a half century on opening day as they fell agonizingly short against Lindisfarne College, then a century on Day Three after the games were moved to different locations against Rosmini College. 3. Harrison Mowat - Lindisfarne College - Mowat finished third on the list of Top Run Scorers at this year’s Gillette Cup, notching up three half centuries while he didn’t make three figures throughout the week he scored a total of 239 Runs at an average of just under 48. 4. Jacob Parker - Hamilton Boys' High School - The Hamilton Boys High School captain was their best performer throughout the week. Finishing as their top run scorer and fourth on the overall standings with 245 runs at an average of 61 with One Half Century and One Century. Also a handy option with the ball, as the same day he made the century against Otago Boys’ he took 3-27 off Eight Overs. 5. Hunter Lowe - Lindisfarne College - Lowe was the top run scorer for the entire tournament batting at Number Five for Lindisfarne. Combining well with Harrison Mowat and Bailey McDonald to form big partnerships through their innings, scoring One Century and one half century as well as he scored 269 Runs at an average of 53.80. 6. Jesse Frew - St Andrew’s College - Jesse much like others in this list made One Half Century and One Century, with his best 103 off 78 not out against Otago Boys High’ on the penultimate day. He linked up well with Zak Foulkes, Mariu and Darling. As well as a well made 58 while other wickets constantly fell around him against Lindisfarne College on Wednesday. 7. Zak Foulkes - St Andrew’s College - Despite Seven not being his natural position in anyone’s batting order, how based on his performances in recent weeks could you leave him out. Finishing just two runs behind overall top run scorer Harrison Mowat with 267 Runs with One Half and One Century at an average of 267. As well as, finishing second on the wicket taking charts with Nine Wickets behind Gatley and teammate Jordy Frew who both took Ten Wickets. 8. Jordan Gatley - Rosmini College - A bit like Cumming from Otago Boys’, an over performer in what was a average side throughout the week, picking up 10 Wickets sharing the top spot on the wicket taking chart. Taking seven wickets across two days with Three against StAC on Tuesday, then Four against Otago Boys’ on the Wednesday. 9. Jordy Frew - St Andrew’s College - Joint top wicket taker with Gatley, taking 10 Wickets and being the only bowler to pick up a five wicket bag throughout the entire tournament taking 5-26 off Nine Overs against Otago Boys. Jordy also played a few key knocks at the end of St Andrew’s first innings to help extend their total that could have made the difference between winning and losing if it had of got close in some of their games. 10. Max Sargentina - Wellington College - Sargentina was key for Wellington College, as an all rounder batting at Number Seven for Wellington College he nearly got them over the line on the first day with 47 as well as 41 vs Hamilton Boys on Day Three, then hit the final ball for Four to secure a win over Lindisfarne on Day Two. He also was handy with the ball picking up Four Wickets with the ball over the Five Days. 11. Sam Sinclair - Hamilton Boys' High School - Wicket Keeper Another not being batted this low in any line up Sam played a crucial role in getting Hamilton Boys’ over the line against Lindisfarne yesterday and was brilliant behind the stumps across the five days. Playing a part in two run outs, five stumpings and nine catches. 27/11/2019 Lougharn has the last laugh St Patrick’s College, Silverstream are the Wellington Premier Youth First XI cricket champions for the
first time since 2006 - defeating Hutt International Boys’ School (HIBS) by 15 runs in the final on Saturday. In 2006 High School Musical was released. HIBS have set the pace locally for the best part of a decade, but they surprised Silverstream when they elected to bowl first in the Premier Youth final. “It was the first game of the year on grass and the surface looked pretty solid,” Seth Lougharn revealed. “HIBS usually set the score, but we thought our best chance to win was to bat first. When HIBS won the toss and bowled that was fine by us,” he said. Silverstream didn’t make the most of the surface however, limping to 212-7 off their 50 overs. Sam Morgan impressed with 74, but the remaining batsmen succumbed after starts. “It wasn’t a huge score, but we knew if we bowled our lines, stopped every run we could, and built pressure it was defenable.” “Things were pretty comfortable in the first 25 overs; they only scored 70 odd, but when Campbell (Webster) and Nikunji (Patel) started building a partnership we were under pressure,” Lougharn said. Webster fell for 34 in the 35th over when the score was 116. Patel was dismissed by Ryan Jackson a dozen overs later for 81 - at which point HIBS chase petered out lamely, finishing 202-9 off 50 overs. “It was a great effort from the boys,” Lougharn acclaimed. “We are typically a quiet team, except for Rory Wollett, but our chat and energy was exceptional. It was our last game together. We were keen to make it memorable.” In the winter Loughran was a member of the Silverstream First XI football team. The season wasn’t memorable at all with Silverstream finishing last in the Trevor Rigby Cup and 27th at Nationals. Loughran stood above the pack as leading goal scorer and team MVP. “It’s not easy when your losing with boys who are essentially your brothers. Our pre-season was real promising and losing definitely took its toll,” Loughran admitted. “You kind of learn how to accept defeat and work harder to be better next week.” Loughran lost his sporting father when he was 10 years old. His perspective and ambition is largely driven by his late dad. “I try to do my best for him in everything I do, even if it’s just little things,” Loughran concluded. Wellington College will represent the capital at the Nationals next week after they defeated Silverstream in the qualifying fixture earlier in the season. Wareham Sports Media Stat Attack Premier Youth First XI Top Five Run Scorers 1: Sam Morgan - St Pats Silverstream - 273 2: Jonty Cameron - Wellington College 2nd XI - 229 3: Adam Richardson - Wellington College 2nd XI - 170 4: Hugh Morrison - Wellington College 1st XI - 158 5: Peter Bonar - Wellington College 1st XI - 157 Premier Youth First XI Top Five Wicket Takers 1: Ryan Jackson - St Pats Silverstream - 11 2: Sam Stewart - St Pats Silverstream - 10 3: Max Sargentina - Wellington College 1st XI - 9 4: Charlie Wilson - Hutt International Boys School - 9 5: Elliot Seddon - Scots College - 9  In Just Under 10 days, the 29th Edition of the New Zealand Secondary Schools First XI Cup competition, the Gillette Cup, gets underway.
The Gillette Cup is a five-day Tournament featuring schools from all six Major Associations (Auckland, Northern Districts, Central Districts, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago). Where everyone plays everyone once across the five days and the team that finishes top of the table on usually the Friday, but this year the Thursday, wins It. There have been instances where we have had ties, with King’s College and Christchurch Boys’ High School being tied both in 1999 and 2006. As well as Palmerston North Boys’ High and Kings in 2004, then the following year Christchurch Boys’ High School and Tauranga College. Wellington College are back at the tournament this year after ending the most successful school, Christchurch Boys’ High’s two year reign on the Cup. They will be aiming to be the first Wellington side to go back-to-back in its 28-year history and the first to go back-to-back since CBHS in recent seasons and before that King's College who won two years running in 2010 and 2011. The Six Teams That Have Qualified For This Year’s Tournament Are As Follows:
Teams Preview: Rosmini College - Auckland Rosmini College are entering just their second every Gillette/First XI Cup, after entering their first one very recently in 2017 where they finished a respectable second and only losing one game and tying with Otago Boys’ High School along the way. Out of that 2017 side, only one player is returning in 2019 to the same tournament, all-rounder and Rosmini College captain Cameron Lowry. Rosmini have made a good start to College Cricket in Auckland in Term Four for 2019/20. Out of the Four Games they’ve played so far they have won three and lost one. A key strength for Rosmini is definitely their bowling attack, as out of the four sides they’ve come up against no team has made more than 190, with King’s College posting the highest score against their bowling attack with 189 all out. Two key players for them recently have been Nathan Page and Jordan Gatley who sit joint second on the wicket taking list with Nine Wickets Each. Also, Brodie Harrison has performed with the bat making two half centuries in Four Innings. Hamilton Boys High School - Northern Districts Hamilton Boys High School are entering their Twelfth Gillette Cup after first making the tournament in its third year in existence in 1993, winning it three times in 2002, 2003 and 2008. Hamilton Boys’ have been known for a mid-table finish, as was their run last year that saw them win their first two games against reigning champions Christchurch Boys’ and Kings High School then lose their remaining three games and slipping to fourth place. Hamilton Boys’ have five returning players from last year’s attempt at reclaiming the Cup, including Jacob Parker, opener Sukijit Singh, bowlers Josh Dinan, Ethan O’Donoghue and all-rounder Kristian Clarke who will be hoping for a great tournament to solidify his place in the New Zealand Under 19’s for the World Cup next year after being used only sparingly in the recent series against Bangladesh Under 19’s. Lindisfarne College - Central Districts Lindisfarne College are arriving at just their second ever Gillette Cup this year after their first in 2013 when they finished third behind Christchurch Boys’ and Mt Albert Grammar School. Lindisfarne will be wanting to make a name for themselves after Palmerston North Boys’ High and Nelson College have been the CD staples usually making the trip to Lincoln over the years. Fred Mowat and Hunter Lowe have been standouts for Lindisfarne this year, with Mowat fourth on the wicket taker charts with 11 scalps while Mowatt tops the charts with 15 victims. Both in seven matches. Wellington College - Wellington At the start of the year people in Wellington thought that the defending National Champions might go through a bit of a rebuilding phase after losing everyone but Hugh Morrison, Henry Chandler and despite most of the year, Tim Robinson. However, luckily for them their Second XI get to play in the same competition as their First XI and hold their own at times. So they have only dropped two games all year on the road but have been invincible at home. Wellington College are the most successful Wellington side at the tournament, winning it twice. Once last year and for the first time in 2002, showing just how sparingly it has been between drinks for Wellington teams not including HIBS’ title win in 2015 and St Pats Silverstream lifting the Cup in 1996. Rithwick Negi has been in college career best form, being placed in the Wellington College Second XI in the start of the year, he scored 389 runs across seven games with an average of 97.25. As well as Max Rodgers finishing top wicket taker in the Term One competition, with 14 wickets in seven Games. Based on successful transitions between Second XI and First XI at the end of last year, Wellington College could be people’s favourites to go back-to-back. St Andrew’s College - Canterbury St Andrew’s in 2019 are arriving at their first Gillette Cup since their founding in 1917 and the competition’s inception in 1990. Ending the reign of Christchurch Boys’ High School who have attended the past seven First XI Cup Finals as the representative from the Canterbury Association. St Andrew’s have made an impeccable start to college cricket in Christchurch for Term Four, winning all six games which sees them sit top of the table and ten points clear of the next team, St Bede’s College with one round remaining against St Bede’s. New Zealand Under 19’s Rep Rhys Mariu has been an outstanding performer for StAC with the bat in Term Four Cricket for 2019, sitting third on the Top run scorer charts with 194 runs across six games with an average just shy of 40. Meanwhile, Jesse Frew has been up near the top in the wicket taking standings with 10 Wickets. Jordy Frew and Zak Foulkes aren’t too far back in the standings with nine wickets each. Otago Boys High School - Otago Otago Boys High’ find themselves back at the Gillette Cup after being pipped by Kings High School in the local final last year which saw Kings make the trip to Lincoln. This is Otago Boys’ 16th trip to Lincoln and they will be seeking their first win since they went back-to-back in 1992 and 1993, they brushed aside Kings High School last Friday to book their place, rolling them for less than 100 and chasing it down for a six wicket win. Otago play their cricket in Dunedin in the Second Grade club cricket competition and currently sit mid-table, despite their up and down former over the six weeks of matches they have had so far two players have shown promise for Otago Boys. With Alex Wilson sitting atop the Wicket Taking Charts with 11 wickets in three games, meanwhile with the bat Xavier Chislom has been in the runs with a top score of 60 and he has a total of 96 runs across three games. All Gillette Cup Matches Will Be Live Scored On NZC.NZ, also On Cric HQ Article prepared by Hamish Wareham. Follow Wareham Sports Media on Facebook  The St Hilda's Collegiate First XI at the recent Willows tournament in North Canterbury. The St. Hilda’s Collegiate cricket team will be returning to Lincoln in early December to defend its New Zealand title that it won in a tense final last year against Christchurch Girls' High School. Otago representatives St Hilda’s will join the five other schools representing the other major cricket associations at the recently renamed Gillette Venus Cup tournament. Teams joining St Hilda's in this year's Gillette Venus Cup finals are Epsom Girls’ Grammar School (Auckland), Waikato Diocesan School for Girls (Northern Districts), St Matthew’s Collegiate School (Central Districts), Hutt Valley High School (Wellington) and Christchurch Girls’ High School (Canterbury). HVHS and St Matthews from Masterton will be attending their first ever tournament, while Waikato Dio have been absent for a number of years. College Sport Media caught up with St Hilda’s coach Neil Rosenberg for some more about the team and tournament. The Team Molly Loe (captain) Megan Meltzer, Chloe Deerness, Jordan Meltzer, Anna Duncan, Pippa Clarke, Amelia Newlands, Summer Phillips, Zarah Moana, Anna McClean, Hannah Wilson, Belle King-Begg, Nova Wright. Management: Neil Rosenberg (coach) Adam Gain (coach) Dave Patchett (scorer) Nic Loe (manager). Personnel Initially, all 12 who received a gold medal at last year’s finals were available to play. However, this year sees a clash with the third round of the domestic women’s Hallyburton Johnstone competition. St Hilda’s is in the envious position of having three contracted players to the Otago Cricket Association - however this cloud does not necessarily have a silver lining as Olivia Gain, Emma Black and Eden Carson are required by the Otago Sparks and therefore are unavailable for one last crack at nationals for their school team.  Molly Loe. Eight of last year’s team will be returning and Molly Loe who is captain is also in the Otago Sparks squad for the 2019-20 season, having debuted in February as a Year 11 student. Molly will captain the team at this year’s Gillette Venus Cup finals. From Weston just out of Oamaru, Molly is a boarder at the St Hilda’s hostel. She is in her third year in the school 1st XI and debuted for the Otago Sparks earlier in 2019 against Central Districts in Palmerston North. On debut, she claimed the prize scalp of White Fern Jess Watkins. Molly is a fast bowler and she brings a great deal of athleticism to the team and she is growing in her ability to provide leadership to the team. Of the team travelling to Lincoln, a number of players have represented Otago from the elite Sparks down to the U15 age group. This bodes well for a strong unit again in 2019. Qualifying The team qualified back in Term One with games against St Kevin’s College from Oamaru and Otago Girls’ High School from Dunedin. The final of the region was played at the University of Otago Oval and St Hilda’s comfortably saw off Columba College with a 97 run victory.  St Richard Hadlee congratulates the team at the recent Willows tournament. Prospects We are delighted to be returning and representing the Otago region again this year. Last year, NZC introduced a final after pool play had been completed and it was a thrill to play Christchurch Girls’ High School on Bert Sutcliffe Oval at Lincoln in that final. This year’s final is proposed to be played on the test match venue of Hagley Oval which will be a real incentive to all the teams. We will be taking one game at a time and we will respect all the opposition. It is great that NZC values this tournament as it provides the school girls the opportunity to play at the highest level at excellent facilities over 3 days. Recently we were privileged to be the first ever women’s team to be invited to play at The Willows in Loburn, North Canterbury. We played a re-run of last year’s Venus Cup final against Christchurch Girls High School in a 40 over match. It was great to have legends of the game in New Zealand, Sir Richard Hadlee, Amy Sattherthwaite and Lea Tahuhu in attendance and everyone enjoyed the festive occasion. Gillette Venus Cup tournament information: Tournament information and draw (once added) is here: www.nzc.nz/community/tournaments-and-hawke-cup/gillette-venus-cup  St Hilda's after winning last year. Venus Gillette Cup – last 10 winners: 2018 St Hilda's Collegiate 2017 Epsom Girls Grammar School 2016 St Hilda's Collegiate 2015 Tawa College 2014 Tawa College 2013 Havelock North High School 2012 Havelock North High School 2011 Christchurch Girls’ High School 2010 Christchurch Girls’ High School 2009 Wellington Girls College  College Sport Media (CSNZ) thanks One Foundation for their support in 2019.  Above: Jock McKenzie playing for the Westlake Boys' High School First XV earlier this season. PHOTO: Simon Harmer.  Jock McKenzie bowling for the Westlake Boys' High School First XI earlier this season. PHOTO: Westlake BHS. Rugby or cricket? Cricket or rugby? At some stage sooner rather than later, multi-talented Westlake Boys’ High School sportsman Jock McKenzie will likely have to choose between the two sports that recently saw him represent New Zealand teams in both sports in the space of a week. “I have been playing both all my life. I don’t have a preference for either, I just want to play both for as long as I can,” enthused Jock. For good reason too. Jock recently swapped his rugby boots for his cricket pads in a whirlwind week that saw him leave camp with the New Zealand Māori U18 rugby team and join the New Zealand U19 cricketers for their 50-over series against their Bangladesh counterparts at Lincoln University. “I played the last four cricket games, but I missed the first one on the Sunday as I got home from the rugby camp on the Thursday night and then went to school on the Friday for the last time. I flew out Saturday morning, joining the team for the next week of cricket. “That was a good experience playing Bangladesh, after also playing Australia in a series of U19 games in Brisbane in July. We played well in patches in both series and we know the standard required to play against the top teams.” The New Zealand U19 team for the U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa is expected to be named in December. “It is a big goal of mine to try and make that squad.” Jock (Ngāti Maniapoto) was part of the Māori U18 representative team that beat the Fijian Schools 46-13 in Rotorua and then beat the New Zealand Schools’ Barbarians 14-12 in windy conditions in Palmerston North as part of a ‘game of three halves’ fixture that also included the New Zealand Schools’ side. As a cricketer, Jock is an all-rounder, who opens the bowling for Westlake and bats in the top or middle order. What’s his preference? “I want to be a batter that bowls, but it depends on the role I am given and I am happy doing both at the moment.”  Jock McKenzie takes a wicket for the NZ U19s in their recent series against the Bangladesh Junior Tigers. IMAGE: NZC Pooch. The eight-team Auckland Premier First XI competition resumed this past Saturday, with the first of six 50-over matches before the end of the school year. Vice-captain Jock made a quiet contribution personally, but his Westlake team had a good first-up win over Mount Albert Grammar School. Westlake batted first and scored 199 for 9 and then dismissed MAGS for 157. The season starts fresh, with Jock and the other school leavers hoping to set a solid platform for the returning players to build on early next year when the points this term carry over. “We made both finals earlier this year, but unfortunately lost both. One was to King’s College [the RH Marryatt Cup Final] and then the other was the Auckland Gillette Cup final to Rosmini College.” Westlake are scheduled to play King’s next on 16 November, but won’t face Rosmini again until next February. On the rugby field, he is a first five-eighth. This was Jock’s second year in his school’s first XV and he helped them win the North Harbour 1A title, beating Whangarei Boys’ High School 31-7 in the final. “We were pretty happy about that. Obviously we drew the final last year with Takapuna, so the goal this season was to win it outright.” The Westlake First XV went through the regular season with just one loss and that was to Whangarei away early in the round-robin. As North Harbour champions they then met Auckland winners King’s College and missed out to them to end their 2019 season. Jock is doing Cambridge exams, which are already underway. “I have already have one exam and my last one is on 11 November.” NCEA exams run right through to the end of November. When he leaves school he will be linking up with his North Shore cricket club, while Auckland have offered him a provincial development contract for 2020 so he will be looking for a rugby club to join south of the harbour bridge.  College Sport New Zealand (CSNZ) thanks the One Foundation for their support with this and other stories in 2019 on College Sport Media.
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