Auckland Grammar School v Tauranga Boys’ College
Another superb Palmerston North morning led to Tauranga Boys’ College winning the toss and electing to bat for a third successive time. Tauranga Boys’ keen to get their first points of the tournament and Auckland Grammar determined to keep pace with the top of the table. Tauranga had a reasonably strong start with their opening pair making 32 runs before the loss of Craig Baldry for 16 off the bowling of Sean West.
Baldry’s opening partner, Andrew Mascall followed three overs later for 22 runs but Tauranga were soon sitting on 93-3 after a stong partnership between Mikaere Leff (19) and Sean Dykes (47). However Tauranga then lost 5 wickets for 17 runs after some good bowling all-round from Auckland Grammar School and had their score restricted to 146-9 after 40 overs.
Hamish Kidd and Thomas Strachan both picked up two wickets after controlled bowling that seemed to frustrate the batsmen.
Tauranga needed to bowl well in order to pick up their first victory and the signs were promising after picking up the wicket of Yatin Remish for six runs and had Auckland Grammar in the nervous position of 1/10. Jack Aitken and George Coombe went about their work sensibly and improved their team’s score to 37/1 until Tauranga gained big momentum by dismissing both Aitken and Coombe within five balls and the pressure was now on the two new batters, Harry Miller and Clay Watson.
Watson strived under the pressure and made 54 runs at a very important stage of the game, his runs becoming even more meaningful after Miller was run out earlier on in the piece. Auckland Grammar had begun to narrow down on their target but regular wickets fell at Watson’s end and once Oakley Dench picked up the priceless wicket of Watson the momentum seemed to be back with Tauranga.
This momentum proved pivotal as David Rout and Mikaere Leef made short work of the Auckland Grammar lower order with 9 runs to spare and left Nicholas Sail stranded down the opposite end on 20 not out to help Tauranga Boys’ to their first points of the tournament after a very exciting match.
Result: Tauranga Boys’ College won by 9 runs
Tauranga Boys’ College 146-9 (Sean Dykes 47; Thomas Strachan 2-10, Hamish Kidd 2-23) beat Auckland Grammar School 137-all out from 39.2 overs (Clay Watson 54; Craig Baldry 2-13, Oakley Dench 2-19).
Otago Boys’ High School v Hutt International Boys’ School
Otago Boys’ High School won the toss on another great day in Palmerston North and decided to bat against the inform Hutt International Boys’ School. But Otago were soon on the defensive after Hunter Kindley, coming off a good batting performance the day before was bowled out by Josh Rogerson with the first ball of the match. Marc Cormack and Max Chu recovered well though and built a partnership of 60 before Cormack was bowled by Rachin Ravindra for 15.
Max Chu made a much needed 46 before being dismissed by Caleb Hewson and Otago were sitting on 76-3. Hutt International pick up two further cheap wickets but Jack Pryde dug in to make an important 35 runs to ensure Otago Boys’ would have some runs for their bowlers to defend. Otago’s lower order offered resistance and added valuable runs to the total to end with a defendable 160 after 39.3 overs.
Daniel Blair had a fine spell with the ball for Hutt International with figures of four wickets for eight runs and Caleb Hewson again had a good day with the ball picking up three wickets for 22 runs.
Hutt International’s opening batters have looked confident all week and Otago Boys’ would have wanted to dismiss both openers before their confidence turned into big runs. Otago managed to pick up one opener, Adam Webster early from the bowling of William Young and began to pile the pressure on Rachin Ravindra but Ravindra batted calmly and set about his work in an assured way. Scott McComb occupied the crease well in support of Ravindra but did not manage to get off the mark after being struck on the pads and sent back to the pavilion from a good ball by Nathan Coldwell.
Unfortunately for Otago, that was the last wicket they took from Hutt International. Josh Rogerson came to the crease to join Ravindra and the pair put on a marvellous display of batting. Two very composed batters set about their work and Ravindra showed the class that he threatened in previous days with an unbeaten 98 off 94 balls and never really looked troubled.
Ravindra found the gaps in the field continuously and rotated the strike well also, with his partner Rogerson making an unbeaten 44 and helped provide the platform for Ravindra to get so close to a wonderful century.
Result: Hutt International Boys’ School won by 8 wickets
Hutt International Boys’ School 163-2 from 31.2 overs (Rachin Ravindra 98*, Josh Rogerson 44*; William Young 1-19) beat Otago Boys’ High School 160-all out from 39.3 overs (Max Chu 46, Jack Pryde 35; Daniel Blair 4-8, Caleb Hewson 3-22).
Hastings Boys High School v Christchurch Boys High School,
Hastings Boys High School got off to another a shaky start today against Christchurch Boys High School, after winning the toss and electing to bat. The top three all failed to make a start, with wickets falling in quick succession, until Hastings Boys High number four Ben Stowe came to the crease armed with some steely determination and classy strokes. Stowe worked hard to put runs on the board while wickets fell around him, until he became Rico Stymes third victim of the day in the in the 34th over.
Stowe made a courageous 55 striking five fours along the way, but with the reminder of Hastings Boys High failing to make an impact they limped to 138 before being all out in the 38th over. The pick of the Christchurch Boys High bowlers was Styme who finished up a very economical 3 for 18 off his 8 which included 3 maiden overs.
The Christchurch Boys High batters got off to a tentative start losing both their openers in the 4th over. Before Simon Yorston coming in at number four, struck a classy 50 not out off 63 balls. Cameos from Oscar Wilson and Campbell Reid supported Yorston in his mission to guide the Christchurch Boys team home for their third win of the tournament. Rohan Fendell ended the day with the the best bowling figures for Hastings Boys’ High with a very respectable for 2 for 22 off his 6.
Christchurch Boys High School and Hutt International Boys School face off tomorrow for top spot, both having gone undefeated in the tournament to date.
Result: Christchurch Boys’ High School won by 4 wickets.
Hastings Boys High School 138-all out after 38.4 overs (Ben Stowe 55: Rico Styme 3-15, Campbell Reid 2-14) lost to Christchurch Boys High School 139-6 (S Yorston 50: Rohan Fendell 2-22, Joey Field 2-18).
