King’s College were pushed all the way by Hutt Valley High School, but were good enough to successfully reach their target and claim a five wicket victory.
Hutt Valley overcame a tough start with the bat to post a competitive 235 for seven from their 50 overs. In reply the Kings top-order produced a number of valuable partnerships to surpass the total after 46.5 overs.
Having lost Daniel Myers for a duck, Jarrod Pike then resurrected Hutt Valley’s innings with a patient 91. He found support from brother Matthew Pike (34) in the middle-order, before Rawiri Kapea cracked a late 41 from 21 to lift his side past 200.
The wickets were shared amongst the King’s bowlers, but Mitchell Murray’s two for 36 represented the best of the figures.
In reply a third wicket stand of 90 between Luke Williamson and Sam Klippel all but secured the victory for the defending champions. The pair took their side to 151 for two, before Williamson fell for 56 in the 32nd over.
Klippel saw out the match and top-scored with an unbeaten 72 to lead his side home.
HUTT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 235-7 (J Pike 91, R Kapea 41*) LOST to KING’S COLLEGE 236-5 (S Klippel 72, L Williamson 56)
