Palmerston North BHS announced themselves as serious title contenders with a 43 run win over Otago Boys’ High School on day one.
The front line batsmen all performed for Palmerston North to help them reach an imposing 253 for six. Otago Boys were valiant in their pursuit, but were eventually bowled out for 210 in the 48th over.
Aran Noema-Barnett got Palmerston North off to a good start with 38, while co-opener Tiago Jahufer contributed 30. Their efforts were then backed up by top-scorer Cameron Rowe with 58 and 41 from wicket-keeper Hayden Hill.
The middle order kept up the momentum in the latter overs to see their side past 250.
Otago Boys’ reply was based around Joshua Renton, with the number four anchoring the innings with 79. He wasn’t able to combine with anyone from the top-order for a long period though, as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Some late resistance from the tail took Otago past the 200 mark, but a run-out after 47.1 overs ended the southerners’ hopes.
It was a team effort with the ball from Palmerston North, with four bowlers taking two wickets apiece.
PALMERSTON NORTH BHS 253-6 50 overs (Cameron Rowe 58, Hayden Hill 41) BEAT OTAGO BOYS HIGH SCHOOL 210 all out 47.1 overs (J Renton 79; A Noema-Barnett 2-27)
