Hamilton Boys’ High School have enjoyed a vice like grip on the Super 8 cricket title, but the trophy nearly slipped through their grasp at the recent edition of the annual tournament in Hamilton. In the final against Palmerston North Boys’ High School, Hamilton appeared to be coasting to victory. Hamilton was 110 for 2 chasing a modest 172. Captain Dilan Nanayakkara explains what happened next. “I was well set on 43 when I chipped the ball gently back to the bowler for a caught and bowled. I was really annoyed with the way I got out. It was a soft dismissal after working so hard,” he laments. A rot set in for Hamilton and a flurry of wickets tumbled. With 49 runs required from 90 balls and with 5 wickets in hand, the equation seemed a mere formality for the hosts. However in the space of half an hour, the equation became much more difficult, as 36 was required from 60 balls with 4 wickets in hand and soon 24 from 42 with a solitary wicket remaining. “It was a wet, slow wicket and Palmerston North bowled really well. We started terribly, but managed to steady the ship. When wickets started falling again it was hard to arrest the momentum back,” Nanayakkara concedes. Fortunately Hamilton’s batting runs deep. No.11 Declan O’Brien is capable of batting much higher in the order. “We’ve got a lot of good batsmen in our team, it’s definitely our strength this year. Declan could properly bat at six or seven if needed,” Nanayakkara says. With the support of middle order batsman Jack Devane (53 not out), Hamilton gradually reduced the target, but not without major anxiety. “With about 12 runs needed there was nearly a run out. The ball was struck just wide of mid on and the two batsmen hesitated mid pitch. We were lucky to get away with it,” Nanayakkara admits. The match ventured into the final over where Hamilton needed three runs to win. A single and two dots still left two runs to win from the final three balls of the match. Inexplicably Palmerston North bowled a wide tying the scores. Nanayakkara captures the final moment. “Palmerston North brought the field up and Declan hit it over cover for four. It was a great moment and a huge relief.” Nanayakkara laughs, “Declan will get a promotion soon.” Earlier in the tournament batting proved little hassle for Hamilton who defeated Napier Boys’ High School and Tauranga Boys’ College with relative ease and amassed over 350 against their own 2nd XI (Rotorua BHS withdrew from the tournament). Cullen Aislabie smashed 132 from 80 balls in this match and Nanayakkara chuckles “we showed them whose boss, though I only made five.” Nanayakkara enjoys captaining Hamilton because there is a “lot of talent” in the team and it’s “less demanding” than other sides he has led in the past because of the skill level of the roster. Nanayakkara was born in Rotorua, but his parents are of Sri Lankan extraction. He represented Northern Districts U17’s at the recent National tournament in Christchurch. His goals for the remainder of the year are to qualify for the National finals in December and push for a place in the New Zealand U19 team. READ MORE CRICKET ARTICLES HERE Even as a restless and naive eight year old Adam Jones was more determined than most to improve his bowling and had a plan of action to do so. The Year 13 at Sacred Heart College in Auckland recalls approaching former New Zealand spinner Dipak Patel at the Howick Pakuranga cricket club and seeking advice on how to bowl spin. “I was bowling pace and found I couldn’t land the ball. It was ridiculous really, but Dipak agreed to teach me how to bowl spin and I guess the rest is history,” he says. Last week Jones was the leading wicket taker for the triumphant Auckland team at the National Under-17 cricket championships in Christchurch. The left-arm orthodox spinner sneered 23 wickets in six games. His best spell was against Otago where he took 6-13 off 17 overs, a spell which included 11 maidens. “I enjoy bowling in the two day games because there are no fielding or over restrictions. It means you can get into a better rhythm and pressure the batsman more,” Jones enthuses. Auckland won both their two day games which were worth extra points. Chemistry was another big component in the teams’ success. “We were a very close knit team. Everyone knew each other well and I think that helped us gel quicker than the other teams,” Jones observers. Despite an unusually soggy summer the only game disrupted by the weather was the Wellington fixture which Auckland lost. The contest was reduced to 22 overs and Wellington prevailed by four wickets chasing 99. “When its wet moisture gets on to the wicket which helps the fast bowlers. We didn’t bat well enough in that game, but the groundsman deserve a lot of credit. They produced some outstanding pitches which made for some great cricket,” Jones says. Cricket has been on a positive ascent at Sacred Heart College. New coach and former first class representative Alan Hunt had added much enthusiasm and expertise to the program. “Alan’s been great. He’s been there and done that so he knows what it takes. In December we won the Marist Cricket Carnival in Australia. It’s the first time we have won it in Australia. The results are getting better all the time,” Jones warns. Jones’ best spell for Sacred Heart was in a Colts fixture last year. In nine overs he took 6-6. His ultimate goal in the immediate future is to make the New Zealand Under-19 team for the 2018 World Cup in New Zealand. “I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but to make that team would be awesome,” Jones concludes. National Under-17 Champs: Final Points Table 1: Auckland – 34 Points 2: Wellington – 25 Points 3: Otago – 21 Points 4: Central Districts – 10 Points 5: Canterbury – 4 Points 6: Northern Districts – 4 Points Top Five Run Scorers 1: Conor Ansell – Auckland – 386 Runs 2: Llew Johnson – Otago – 291 Runs 3: Devan Vishvaka – Wellington – 278 Runs 4: Jake Russ – Northern Districts – 266 Runs 5: Keegan Weeks – Central Districts – 263 Runs Top Five Wicket Takers 1: Adam Jones – Auckland – 23 Wickets 2: Dylan Sharma – Wellington – 19 Wickets 3: James Mockford – Otago – 18 Wickets 4: Ben Lockrose – Otago – 13 Wickets 5: Ryan Harrison – Auckland – 13 Wickets Previous Winners 2016/17: Auckland 2015/16: Canterbury 2014/15: Central Districts 2013/14: Auckland 2012/13: No Tournament 2011/12: No Tournament 2010/11: No Tournament 2009/10: Canterbury 2008/09: Canterbury Note: The tournament consisted of four 50-over one day games and two, two day games. Credit: Hamish Wareham for the stats. In a competition first, the New Zealand U18s (selected from the National U19 tournament late last year) has recently been competing at the New Zealand Provincial A tournament at Lincoln University, in preparation for the Under 19 World Cup, which is to be held in New Zealand in January 2018. The team won two 50-over matches of six and lost four, finishing level in the wins column with Canterbury and Auckland and ahead of Otago. Wellington won the tournament. The National U17 tournament is at Lincoln next week. The New Zealand U18 team was (schools in brackets): Finn Allen – St Kentigern College Benjamin Beecroft- Westlake Boys’ High School Max Chu - Otago Boys’ High School Katene Clark - Mount Albert Grammar School Ben Donkers- Christchurch Boys’ High School Matthew Fisher - St Paul’s, Hamilton Will Hamilton - St Andrews College Llew Johnson - St Andrews College Hunter Kindley * - Otago Boys’ High School Ben Lockrose - Otago Boys’ High School Felix Murray - Nelson College Sandeep Patel - St Kentigern College Dale Phillips - Sacred Heart College Todd Watson - Napier Boys’ High School Ryan Whelan - John McGlashan College Kaylum Boshier - New Plymouth Boys' High School *Ruled out before the tournament with injury Some notable performances were:
The 2016 men's cricket National U19 Tournament gets underway tomorrow at Lincoln University, featuring the country’s leading current and recent secondary school players. The tournament, featuring many current school players and 2016 school leavers and graduates from the best First XIs in the country, will see a group of players backing up from the National Secondary Schools Boys tournament played at the same venue last week. Christchurch Boys’ High School won last week’s tournament, with Auckland’s Saint Kentigern College finishing runners-up. Three CBHS players, Jack Turner, Ben Donkers and Fraser Sheat, are in Canterbury’s U19 team for this tournament. Canterbury are also the defending champions. Canterbury and Auckland have a mortgage on the National Under-19, having won each of the past nine editions between them. Similarly, an exciting incentive for players at this year’s National U19 tournament is the chance to be selected in the New Zealand U18 team that will compete in the National Provincial ‘A’ tournament in January. The format of the U19 tournament is a six-team round robin 50-over competition, followed by play-offs and a finals day. It runs for eight days, from this Thursday to next Friday (15-23 December). At least a couple of players in this tournament have already played first-class cricket, such as Central Districts’ Christian Leopard, while Leopard and several others were in the Junior Black Caps squad at the U19 World Cup. Of note, the National U21 Women’s tournament that is being played in Auckland from this Thursday to next Wednesday will also feature many current and recent secondary school girls’ cricketers from around New Zealand. National U19 cricket Tournament – at a glance What: 2016 Men’s National Under-19 cricket Tournament Where: Lincoln University When: December 15-23 (Wednesday – Friday) Format: Five-match round-robin series, followed by a rest day and then a playoffs day and a finals day Draw: View the draw at http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/media/7135/under-19-tournament-draw-201617.pdf National U19 cricket Tournament – squad lists Squad lists as available. Players’ current and former schools brackets (where known) Auckland William O’Donnell (Captain, Westlake Boys’ High School) Finn Allen (St Kentigern College) Keegan Russell (Westlake Boys’ High School) Angus McKenzie (Westlake Boys’ High School) William St John (King’s College) Dale Phillips (Pakuranga College) Nikheil Bhana Daniel Young (St Kentigern College) Ariyan Hassan (Mount Albert Grammar School) Ryan Schierhout (Westlake Boys’ High School) Flynn McGregor-Sumpter (Auckland Grammar School) Benjamin Beecroft (Westlake Boys’ High School) Christy O’Brien Canterbury Will Hamilton (St Andrew’s College) Ben Chamberlain (Christ’s College) Jack Turner (Christchurch Boys’ High School) Matt Hay (Christchurch Boys’ High School) Ben Donkers (Christchurch Boys’ High School) Jack Lewis (Christchurch Boys’ High School) Sam Gilbert (St Andrew’s College) Joel Williams (Burnside High School) Fraser Sheat (Christchurch Boys’ High School) Mark Otley (Timaru Boys’ High School) Angus Hamilton (St Bede’s College) Connor Sullivan (St Bede’s College) Harry Fitzpatrick (St Bede’s College) Central Districts Kaylum Boshier (Captain, New Plymouth Boys’ High School) Ma'ara Ave (V Captain, Marlborough Boys’ College) Fraser Bartholomew (Horowhenua College) Luke Dravitzki (Francis Douglas Memorial College) Josh Borrell (New Plymouth Boys’ High School) Mason Hughes (Palmerston North Boys’ High School) Christian Leopard (Napier Boys’ High School) Davis Mills (New Plymouth Boys’ High School) Felix Murray (Nelson College) Liam Pinfold (Horowhenua College) Todd Watson (Napier Boys’ High School) Bayley Wiggins Hawke's Bay (Hastings Boys’ High School) Taylor Williams Taranaki (New Plymouth Boys’ High School) Northern Districts Cullen Aisalbie (Hamilton Boys High School) Alastair Blackett (St Paul’s Collegiate) Sandeep Patel (St Kentigern College) Katene Clarke (Mount Albert Grammar School) Dion Joll (Botany Downs College) Jamie Moore (Hamilton Boys’ High School) Matt Whitley (St Peter’s, Cambridge) Robbie Tallott (Gisborne Boys’ High School) Brayden Gaylor (Hamilton Boys’ High School) Ravi Pathirana (Hamilton Boys’ High School) Alex Clare (St John’s College) Matthew Fisher (St Paul’s Collegiate) Cooper Rowell (Hamilton Boys’ High School) Otago Anjus Bhogal (John McGlashan College) Cameron McAuslan (Otago Boys’ High School) Hunter Kindley (Otago Boys’ High School) Taine Bayly (Otago Boys’ High School) Jarryd Taig (Otago Boys’ High School) Nathan Smith (Waitaki Boys High School) Llew Johnson (St Andrew’s College) Max Chu (Otago Boys’ High School) Alex Tait (Southland Boys’ High School) Ryan Whelan (John McGlashan College) Kurt Johnston (King’s High School) Elliot Love (King’s High School) Ben Lockrose (Otago Boys’ High School) Wellington Rachin Ravindra (Captain, Hutt International Boys’ School) Jakob Bhula (Wellington College) Michael Fenton (Tawa College) Luke Georgeson (St Patrick’s College, Wellington) Calvin Harrison (King’s College, Taunton) James Hartshorn (Wellington College) Troy Johnson (Hutt International Boys’ School) Matt McComb (Hutt International Boys’ School) Callum McLachlan (St Patrick’s College, Silverstream) Josh Peake (Wellington College) Nicholas Pile (Onslow College) Ben Sears (Hutt International Boys’ School) Tyler Simpson (Hutt International Boys’ School)
6/12/2016
December 06th, 2016St Hilda’s Collegiate won their first National Secondary Schools' Girls cricket title last week. Here is an account from the Otago Daily Times and some additional stats illustrating this fine achievement.
St Hilda’s Collegiate coach Neil Rosenburg reckons this year’s group is the best team he has coached in his 20 years at the school. And it is hard to argue with him after the team won the national girls secondary school title for the first time yesterday. It won all five matches and that was "pretty good to be fair", Rosenburg said. "Five from five was a great result. The girls have benefited enormously from Otago Cricket’s accelerator programme through the winter. "They have really just taken their game to another level. We’ve been to the finals five years in a row and we are really rapt that it was so comprehensive." Sparks player Bella James captained the side and, not only led superbly, but was the competition’s leading scorer with 191 runs at an average of 38.20. "[Bella] is a legend. She is in the Sparks and has just benefited from being with Katey [Martin], Suzie [Bates] and Morna [Nielsen] so much. "We are really proud of Bella." The Heffernan twins, Kate and Georgia, played starring roles as well. Kate was the second-leading scorer with 155 runs at 38.75 and the joint-leading wicket-taker with eight wickets at an average of six — yes, six. Georgia took six wickets at 8.17. They bowled in tandem at the top for St Hilda’s and proved a formidable duo. "They’ve been great. They bowl three overs each at the top and teams are finding themselves one or two down for not many. But we’ve got nine bowlers and at school girls cricket that is just unheard of." "[The Heffernans] bat three and four and they know each other’s game so intuitively. It is poetry in motion. They take two or three strides and they are down the wicket." St Hilda’s opened the tournament with wins against Palmerston North Girls’ High School and Tauranga Girls’ College on Friday. Olivia Gain scored 72 not out to help her side beat Cashmere High School by 83 runs on Saturday and, later in the day, Georgia Heffernan took five for 11 to help beat Epsom Girls’ Grammar School by 52 runs. Yesterday, St Hilda’s beat Tawa College by eight-wickets to seal the title. Kate Heffernan took four for 15 and James top-scored with 40. Final Standings
St. Hilda's Results (20 Over Matches) St. Hilda's: 102/8 (Isabella James 34, Grace Minnis 3/7) beat Palmerston North GHS: 68/8 (Sally Wenham 20, Eden Carson) by 34 runs St. Hilda's: 178/4 (Isabella James 83, Kate Heffernan 64) beat Tauranga GC: 99/2 (Nensi Patel 44, Georgia Heffernan 1/6) by 79 runs St. Hilda's: 158/2 (Olivia Gain 72) beat Cashmere High School: 75/7 (Isla McKenzie 17, Eden Carson 3/10) by 83 runs St. Hilda's: 123/7 (Georgia Heffernan 34, Gemma Adams 2/15) beat Epsom Girls Grammar: 71(Amie Hucker 40, Georgia Heffernan 5/11) by 52 runs Tawa College: 84/5 (Phoenix Williams 33, Kate Heffernan 4/15) lost to St. Hilda's: 85/2 (Isabella James 40) by 8 wickets. 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 profiles the defending champions, Hutt International Boys’ School. Hutt International Boys’ School First XI Squad: Rachin Ravindra ©, Tyler Simpson (vc), Joseph Foote, Matthew McComb, Caleb Hewson, Adam Webster, Jesse Tashkoff, Harry Simpson, Logan Slee, Nathan Watt, Nikunj Patel, Cole Kennedy. Coaches: Mark Borthwick, Paul Brennan Representative Cricketers: Rachin Ravindra (NZ Under 19, Wellington Under 19 Captain), Tyler Simpson (Wellington Under 19), Matthew McComb (Wellington Under 19), Jesse Tashkoff (Wellington Under 17). What are your previous best finishes in the tourney?
What’s it going to take for your school to do well in the tournament? It will take a team effort by all the players for the team to have any chance of winning back the 1stXI Cup after winning it for the first time in 2015. The team has New Zealand Under 19 player Rachin Ravindra to lead the side in the batting department and Vice Captain Tyler Simpson who will spearhead the bowling attack. Three spinners in the team have served us well. What local competitions do your team play in, and how did they go last season/this season? The team played in the College Sport Wellington Premier Youth Grade and went on to win this competition. This is made up of one day matches home and away throughout the year. Earlier this year we won our Regional NZSS Tournament beating Wellington College 1st XI by 45 runs in the Wellington Regional Cup Final. Rachin Ravindra scored 112.There are two pools of Four teams and HIBS beat St Pats Silverstream, St Pats Town and Hutt Valley High School to top the pool and then played Wellington College at the Basin Reserve in the Wellington Final. HIBS batted first and scored 232/8 in their 50 overs. In reply Wellington College scored 187 all out. What’s been one memorable match your team has played this year? Winning the Regional one Day game against St Pats Town. In the second round of matches HIBS batted first and at one stage were 94/9 after 35 overs but managed to reach 123 all out after 46 overs. In reply the strong St Pats Town side battled towards the target only to fall short by one run as the last pair tried to scamper for a single only to be undone by a direct hit. How many players are returning to your First XI from this time last year (if you played in this tournament in 2015) and what’s the age balance/composition of the side? We have seven players returning this year with 3 year 13, 4 Year 12’s, 3 Year 11’s & 2 x Year 10’s. Who is your leading run scorer and wicket taker? Rachin Ravindra is our leading batsman and leading bowler. He has scored 2464 @ 34.7 and taken 163 wickets at 10.6. Who are the individuals in your team that are successful in other sports? Tyler Simpson,( 1st XV Rugby), Caleb Hewson (Senior A Basketball) Nathan Watt (1st XI hockey), Jesse Tashkoff (First XI Football). Who are the recent former players that have played for this First XI team now playing first-class domestic cricket or for New Zealand? We have three current contracted professional cricketers. Fraser Colson, Matt Taylor and Iain McPeake who are all contracted players to the Wellington Firebirds. 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. |
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