Christchurch Boys’ HS put on an awe-inspiring performance today at the Gillette Cup – in the process booking themselves a ticket to what will effectively be a grand final tomorrow at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval.
CBHS captain Toby Robinson (132) and fellow opener Harry O’Loughlin (87) put on a remarkable 228-run opening partnership, beating the previous Gillette Cup first wicket partnership by 44 runs (T Griffin & L Cotton, 184 runs for OBHS in 2012).
Not to be outdone, Westlake Boys’ HS also picked a dominant victory over Palmerston North Boys’, setting the scene for a huge matchup between the two unbeaten sides.
Read the match reports below!
ROUND FOUR:
Toby Robinson (CBHS) is clapped off the field after a breathtaking 132 runs - NZC
Christchurch Boys’ HS 249/1 (T Robinson 132, A Kirkland 3-30) beat Wellington College 245/9 (D McArdle 76, L Henderson 1-39), Bert Sutcliffe Oval
Electing to bat first, Wellington College got off to a positive start through opener Ari Bonnar (44), who clubbed seven boundaries in an effective innings for WC. When Chris Ellison (1-31) removed the dangerous Bonnar, it was WC captain, Dylan McArdle (76), who took control – swatting seven fours and three sixes in an elegant innings. McArdle combined with the in-form Archie Sims (42) for an 80-run partnership for the fourth wicket, and pushing their total to 195 runs before Nick Smith (2-36) was able to claim the big wicket of McArdle. From that point onward, CBHS’s seamers took over – Smith, Alex Kirkland (3-30), and Jack Dry (2-31) taking regular wickets to put a dampener on a strong WC effort.
Then the Toby Robinson (132) and Jack O’Loughlin (87) show ensued. The two dispatching boundaries at will to bring up an unbeaten 100-run partnership in just the fifteenth over. Robinson was in particularly devastating form – bringing up his half-century in 51 balls, and then going bezerk to bring up a century in a remarkable 74 balls. His innings of 132 runs included 15 x fours and 4 x sixes and is the 8th equal highest individual score at a Gillette Cup. O’Loughlin’s innings was equally impressive – dispatching 13 boundaries, picking his moments to rotate strike, and picking others to find the rope. The two now hold the new record for a first wicket partnership at the Gillette Cup (228 runs), which will certainly take some beating in years to come.
Despite losing O’Loughlin late in the chase, Christchurch Boys’ cantered home in the 36th over to a 9-wicket win.
Brandon Matzopoulos (WBHS) after a well made 91 runs - NZC
Westlake Boys’ HS 255/9 (B Matzopoulos 91, L Harrison 3-27) beat Palmerston North Boys HS 143/10 (J Robinson 46, J Last-Harris 2-34), Lincoln No.3
Westlake Boys’ picked up a comprehensive victory on Lincoln No.3, improving their record to four-from-four alongside CBHS.
After electing to bat first, WBHS had a shaky start – losing two early wickets in consecutive overs. The Aucklanders were able to stabilise through opener Ethan Holman (40) and Brandon Matzopoulos (91), the latter bringing up his second half-century of tournament. Matzopoulos impressed during his knock, playing a chanceless innings and combining with Jordan Van Zyl (65) to dominate the middle overs. PNBHS captain, Ethan Campbell (2-60), was able to take to big wickets during his spell, while seam-bowler Jordan Last-Harris (2-34) impressed in the death overs.
Westlake struck early through Van Zyl (1-27), however PBHS bounced back through opener Van Prenter (31) and Jerome Robinson (46). The latter dispatching seven boundaries and was unlucky to miss out on a half-century. After a sharp runout removed Robinson, WBHS turned up the pressure through off-spinner Lucas Harrison (3-27). He was able to partner with three fellow WBHS spinners, who took eight wickets amongst them, helping to secure victory by 112 runs.
Hamish Wilson (OBHS) on his way to a four-wicket bag - NZC
Otago Boys’ HS 228/10 (L Marsh 29, H Wilson 4-23) beat St Peter’s Cambridge 129/10 (W Jacobsen 23, X Bell 2-41), Lincoln Green
Otago Boys’ HS required all eleven of their players to pick up their first win of the 2023 Gillette Cup.
Batting first on the Lincoln Green, OBHS remarkably saw all eleven of their batters reach double figures in what was truly a team effort. Unfortunately for the southerners, none of those batters were able to reach 30 runs, as St Peter’s kept taking wickets at opportune times. The OBHS middle order of Daniel Lawrence (24), Zac Cumming (23), and Luke Marsh (29) were important for their side in reaching a defendable total, while Xavier Bell, Archie Louden, Baxter Smith and Kees Butler all picked up two wickets apiece.
After a positive start for St Peter’s, it was Oliver Garden (1-19) who was able to make the breakthrough for OBHS. Seamer Will Thode (2-12) then played his part, picking up two big wickets up top for Otago Boys’. Nick Greaney (18) and Will Jacobsen (23) showed determination for their side, but it was to be in vain as the wickets fell in regular intervals. It was OBHS’s spin bowlers – Hamish Wilson (4-23) and Zac Cumming (2-30) - who would finish the job for Otago, eventually securing a 99-run victory.
