Six of the country’s leading schools converge on Lincoln University near Christchurch this weekend for the 2016 NZCT Secondary School Girls National Cricket finals. The schools, each representing one of the six major association cricket provinces, play a round-robin of Twenty20 matches over three days from Friday to Sunday, with the leading team after five rounds on Sunday afternoon declared the champion. Wellington’s Tawa College are the two-time defending champions and as such the team to beat, but will have strong competition from other schools such as last year’s runners-up St Hilda’s Collegiate of Dunedin. Tawa won’t have the services of leading player Amelia Kerr as she’s playing in Whangarei for the Wellington Blaze representative team instead. Another player, Danielle Watson, is away this weekend too at a National kayak regatta. But they can still call upon seven players returning from last year’s win. St Hilda’s have a balanced squad from last year’s team that finished second in Palmerston North, with just three players competing at this tournament for the first time. Captain Bella James is the side’s sole year 13 cricketer, with six year 10s also in the mix. The other four schools competing are Cashmere High School (Canterbury), Epsom Girls’ Grammar School (Auckland), Palmerston North Girls’ High School (Central Districts) and Tauranga Girls’ College (Northern Districts) – each of whom will be playing to win their maiden title. The Player of the Tournament is awarded the Ina Lamason Trophy, with Amelia Kerr winning this for each of the past two years. Other past winners of this have been current White Ferns coach Haidee Tiffen and other well-known internationals Rachel Priest, Suzie Bates and Kate Broadmore, and Kendra Cocksedge who is the current halfback in the New Zealand Black Ferns rugby team. Tournament information: What: 2016 NZSS Secondary School Girls cricket finals Where: Lincoln University, Canterbury When: 2-4 December (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Format: Round-robin Twenty20 matches (five matches scheduled over three days) Coverage: Live scoring at this link here http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/community/tournaments-and-hawke-cup/nzct-secondary-school-girls/points-tables-and-leaderboards Squads (as provided): Cashmere High School (Canterbury) Isla McKenzie (Captain), Hannah Rose Daldry, Jodie Dean, Sydnee Edwards, Sophie Harris, Emma Hunt, Eloise Lovett, Morven MacKean, Aiyana Manson King, Rachael Pullan, Olive Topping, Jenna Waghorn, Elizabeth Whittington Epsom Girls’ Grammar School (Auckland) Jayda Tainui (Captain), Gemma Adams, Celina Campbell Mei Coates, Ella Drumm, Grace Evans, Annie Ewart, Amie Hucker, Phoebe Jones, Jayna Patel, Jessica Philpot, Ede Rogan Palmerston North Girls’ High School (Central) Olivia West (Captain), Imogen Bos, Sarah Calkin, Elizabeth Dombroski, Janis Gordon, Kaitlin Herron, Alice Little, Grace Minnis, Molly Noema-Barnett Jasmine Odell, Jessica Ogden, Eikam Singh, Sally Wenham St Hilda’s Collegiate (Otago) Bella James (Captain), Emma Black, Eden Carson, Ella Coggan, Taylor Duffy, Olivia Gain, Olivia Hall, Georgia Heffernan, Kate Heffernan, Molly Johnson, Megan Meltzer, Laura Taylor Tauranga Girls’ College (Northern) Briana Perry (Captain), Georgia Bartlam, Meila Eades Christina Gatenby-Hinton, Shay Little, Nensi Patel, Rebecca Richard, Paris Robertson, Taylah Stack Ella Steenson, Brooke Taylor, Holly Topp Tawa College (Wellington) Phoenix Williams (Captain), Kate Fenton, Jessica Findlay, Anna-Leigh Gillies, Eithne Hunt, Rachael Lockhart, Olivia Macrae, Jeneesha Maisuria, Jamie Rawiri Hephzibah Thuraisingham, Roshani Thuraisingham, Melissa Veale The Secondary School Boys’ cricket First XI Cup (First XI Cup) began in 1990 and is among the longest-running competitions in secondary school sport. Many first-class and international cricketers have made their name in this tournament. The 2016 national finals are being played at Lincoln University from 5-9 December. College Sport Media is profiling the six teams involved. Nelson College Squad: Allistar King (Captain & Nelson Mens), David Zohrab ( Nelson U17), Thomas Zohrab (Nelson Mens), Fergus Hughes (Nelson U17) Nick Clark (Nelson Mens) Ben Hazlett, Patrick Howes, (Nelson Mens), Felix Murray ( NZ U19), Jarrod McKay (Nelson U17), Josh Simpson (Nelson U17), Sam Berkett, Alby Murray, (Nelson U17) Overview Nelson College beat New Plymouth Boys’ High School by 47 runs in the Central Districts qualifying final at Palmerston North’s Fitzherbert Park in March to confirm their second appearance at the tournament in three seasons. Nelson cricket has grown and flourished under the guidance of former senior representative and present coach Garry MacDonald. “Josh Clarkson is our most recent first class player. Some years ago the School was stacked with first class and New Zealand old boy reps. This has diminished somewhat in the last 20 years but we are confident it wont be long before we see more of our old boys playing at higher levels,” MacDonald enthuses. Nelson cricket lost direction but MacDonald has achieved historic results earning Nelson their first Nationals spot two years ago. This season the team is especially strong in batting. “If our batting can fire then we will be competitive. We have no real superstars but collectively the team fights very hard,” MacDonald says. Nelson has moved up into the senior mens competition in Nelson where they are competitive without threatening to win any of the competitions yet. To earn their place at Nationals, Nelson had to win the Top of the South Island Colleges tourney, then win the Central districts top four Colleges tourney. MacDonald recalls some of the matches along the way. “The lads have been involved in many tight games during this campaign as we have to scrap for every win. Our qualifying final against New Plymouth Boys’ was spectacular in as much as we were getting badly beaten for a time but fought hard, set a partnership and finished off with some inspired bowling and fielding.” Nelson have retained two players from their 2014 appearance. Their roster also includes four Year 13’s and a Year 10. Left-arm spinner Felix Murray is the top wicket taker while Nick Clark is statistically the best batsman to date. Nelson has a number of outstanding all-round sportsmen in their team. Ben Hazlett is a First XV rugby player. Nick Clark represents the school in basketball, volleyball and underwater hockey while the Zohrab twins and Josh Simpson are all scratch golfers who play for the Tasman Mens team. MacDonald is grateful for the support of the Nelson community. “We have massive support from our Headmaster Mr Gary O’Shea, plus the parents are simply amazing. The whole Nelson community have shown an interest in the team, including the Mayor who regularly has a chat to see how we are going. Nelson Cricket do everything they can to assist in our preparation as well. We have some great sponsors on board including Freeman Roofing, Port Nelson, Talleys, Sealord fisheries and Poulos Brothers,” MacDonald finishes. The Secondary School Boys’ cricket First XI Cup (First XI Cup) began in 1990 and is among the longest-running competitions in secondary school sport. Many first-class and international cricketers have made their name in this tournament. The 2016 national finals are being played at Lincoln University from 5-9 December. College Sport Media is profiling the six teams involved. Otago Boys’ High School Brief: A perennial contender, Otago BHS haven’t won the tourney for a long-time, but bring an experienced side to Christchurch who could cause upsets. Coaches: Ken Rust , Adam Miles First XI Squad: Taine Bayly (C), Declan Su’a, Cameron McAuslan, Jarryd Taig, Gus Wood, Jackson Miller, Josiah Turner, Max Chu, Jack Pryde, Hunter Kindley, Ben Lockrose, Tim Horton Representative Players: Taine Bayly, Declan Su’a, Cameron McAuslan, Jarryd Taig, Gus Wood, Max Chu, Jack Pryde, Hunter Kindley, Ben Lockrose, Tim Horton National Champions: 1992, 1993 Verdict Otago BHS compete in the Local First XI competition, traditional fixtures and some of their leading talent take part in senior cricket. Otago easily won through to the National finals. In the Zone semi-final they defeated Southland BHS and then crushed Waitaki BHS by 247 runs in the Final. Aside from dominating Christ College over two days in the inter-school traditional at Hagley Park, the win over Waitaki Boys’ with opener Cameron McAuslan scoring 156 was Otago’s most memorable performance of the season. McAuslan is a player to keep an eye on. He has scored 459 runs at 58 this year in inter-school and qualifying games. Wicket-keeper batsman Max Chu has also performed well averaging in excess of 35 at the top of the order. Captain Taine Bayly leads a middle order that includes four players who are performing successfully in senior cricket. Fast bowler Declan Su’a is the team’s leading wicket taker with 36 wickets at 17. Ben Lockrose, Hunter Kindley, and Jackson Miller will be key figures as the tournament develops. All three are capable all-round players. Bayly also captains the school football 1st XI which includes Taig and Chu. Miller is in the First XV and Kindley is a member of the school’s top basketball team. All-rounder Tim Horton will compete in the National Secondary Schools Athletics finals in the 100 metres and senior relay on the weekend before the First XI Cup Finals. Fellow all-rounder Jack Pryde has played in two Rankin Cup hockey tournaments. The core of the team have enjoyed considerable success in the past having won the NZCT Cup, toured South Africa in 2013 and Sydney in 2014-15. These trips would not have happened without the on-going support of a committed and hard-working parent group who have supported Otago Boys’ cricket for many years. Otago have produced many fine players over the years. The most prominent players from the school in first class cricket at the moment are former Black Cup Hamish Rutherford as well as Sam Wells, Jack Hunter and Josh Finnie. The National Secondary Schools First XI Cricket Cup was played on brand new pitches at Lincoln, but the result was a familiar one. For the fourth time in five years Christchurch Boys’ High School were winners. Fraser Sheat was the leading wicket taker at the tourney sneering 11 wickets as Christchurch only conceded above 200 once. “The pitches had a bit of life and pace on Day One which was great for the quick’s. They got slower during the week, but they always had a bit in them,” Sheat says. Sheat who can bowl in excess 130km an hour secured his best figures of the tournament on the opening day. He took 4/28 as Otago Boys’ High School succumbed to Christchurch by seven wickets. “Otago was a good side and there is a strong rivalry between the schools’ so it was great to start with such a good win,” Sheat reflects. The pivotal win for Christchurch proved to be their Tuesday triumph against Auckland champions St. Kentigern College. It was a match in which Christchurch always appeared to be on the back foot. Sheat captures the late drama. “With four overs left they needed six runs to win with three wickets in hand. Finley Allen was at the crease and on 100 so we decided to put the field back and give him a single and try to pressure the other batsman with dot balls. Louie Chapman managed to get a caught and bowled when they needed five to win. In the next over I bowled their number 10, but I couldn’t get the last wicket. Jack Turner came into the attack and dismissed Allen and we went nuts,” Sheat laughs. Allen struck six sixes in his century. The next day Sheat hit the only two sixes of the match as Christchurch made hard work of a paltry chase against defending champions Hutt International Boys’ School. Sheat claimed great satisfaction from dismissing HIBS gun Rachin Ravindra. “Rachin is a really good player. I had played him a few times and never managed to get him out so to dismiss him was great,” he says. Thursday’s fixture against Hamilton Boys’ High School required no work at all. A washout left Christchurch top of the table with a round to play. “It was a strange one. We wanted to play, but we knew if it was called off it was properly an advantage for us,” Sheat concedes. On Friday, Christchurch made short work of Nelson. “Nelson were a good side. They scored over 200 against a couple of teams. I was surprised we bowled them out for 62, but we planned thoroughly, applied pressure and got the rewards,” Sheat enthuses. Sheat will have little time to celebrate. Starting Thursday he will represent Canterbury at the National U19 tournament also at Lincoln. The Secondary School Boys' First XI Cup began in 1990 and is among the longest-running competitions in secondary school sport. Many first-class and international cricketers have made their name in this tournament. The 2016 National Finals are being plays at Lincoln University from 5-9 December. College Sport Media is profiling the six teams involved. Coaches: Chris Kuggeleijn, Tim Aughton Squad: Jamie Moore, Ben Morris-Brown, Riyan Perera, Bodie Hodges, Cullen Aisalbie, Max Gaskett, Brayden Gaylor, Liam Calnon, Kristan Clarke, Dilan Nanayakkara, Jake Russ, William Muldowney, Hamish Mellow, Angus Lynch. Northern Districts Reps: Moore, Morris-Brown, Aisalbie, Gaylor, Calnon Previous Wins: 2002, 2003, 2008. (12 appearances) Competition: Hamilton Premier Men's Competition, Northern Districts Champions, Super 8 Champions Most Runs: Jamie Moore Most Wickets: Brayden Gaylor Motto: Together We Are Strong. First Class Reps: Scott Styris, BJ Watling, Anton Devcich, Anurg Verma, Keir Bettley, Mitchell Santer, Scott Kuggeleijn, Owens Ivins, Josef Walker, Matthew Thomas. Prospects: Hamilton Boys' High School have seven returning players from last year, six of whom are Year 13. Hamilton is a well-drilled unit in the field and have an effective slow-bowling attack that can strangle the opposition. Brayden Gaylor is an impressive spin bowler, who can bat a bit to. The side is well led by Jamie Moore who is an aggressive player while Aisalbie, Gaylor, Calnon are among the best players in the region. Once again Hamilton will be fiercely competitive. |
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