King’s College are now in control of their own fate, after becoming the only team to remain undefeated with an 11 run win over Otago Boys’ High School.
Batting first, King’s posted an imposing 294 for six from their 50 overs, with openers Cameron Gibbons and Ben Turner putting on a tournament high 137 for the opening wicket.
Turner was the first to go on 72, but Gibbons continued his relentless attack to bring up his side’s first century of the tournament. The milestone was brought up off 110 balls and featured eight fours and three sixes.
Some late boundaries pushed King’s College close to the 300 mark, setting the highest total in this year’s finals so far.
In reply Otago were always behind the required run-rate and relied on opener Liam Cotton (80) for much of the innings.
It looked like it would be wrapped up quickly when he fell in the 41st over, but an explosive 66 not out from Josh Finnie gave the southerners a glimmer of hope. Finnie whacked five sixes and six fours off just 32 balls.
His efforts though were in vain, as he wasn’t able to make up the ground in time and Otago Boys finished 283 for seven. Scott Johnston was expensive for King’s, but picked up four wickets in the process.
KING’S COLLEGE 294 for six 50 overs (C Gibbons 104, B Turner 72) BEAT OTAGO BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL 283-7 50 overs (L Cotton 80, J Finnie 66*)
