Match Report - Game 4 v Guildford Grammar School
Guildford Grammar is a Year 0 - 7 + Year 8 - 12 private boys school in north Perth. There are about 780 boys in the senior school. Guildford boasts some magnificent facilities in idyllic surroundings. Once again the weather was awesome. Temperatures in the mid to late 20's and a slight breeze. We have been very spoilt. Today we were privileged to be joined by very proud old boy Roger Thurston who lives in Perth. Roger was a member of the PNBHS 1979 World Rugby Tour to the UK. He spent the afternoon conversing with the parents and catching up on stories from New Zealand.
Captain for the day Braden Rowe won the toss and asked Guildford to bat first on a flat wicket with a slight green tinge. Opening bowlers Jack Lord and Jack Harris immediately put the opposition batsman under pressure. Jack Lord captured the first wicket, comfortably caught behind by Bryn Wilson wearing the gloves. Jack Harris chimed in with two wickets of his own, just reward for his full and straight bowling. From 23 for 3 Guildford soon found themselves in further trouble slipping to 57 for 5. Change bowlers Floyd na Nagara and James Stratton maintained the initial intensity with James picking up the two wickets to fall. The Guildford Grammar lower order showed much resilience and determination to form two valuable partnerships in the final third of the innings. These partnerships saw our opposition recover to post a competitive 180 for 7.
The school's reply was positive with Tom O'Connor promoted to open the innings with Trey Bidois. Together they put on 68 runs for the first wicket in just 11 overs. Tom was in particularly punishing form scoring 47 off 37 balls. His innings was highlighted by powerful drives and well placed cut shots. Unfortunately, both openers were dismissed with the score on 68 which briefly halted the momentum of the innings. Thomas Walshe and Whetu na Nagara combined to put on 34 runs for the third wicket to steady the ship. Charles Parker joined Whetu at the crease and promptly blazed 15 off 11 balls. When Charles departed, Bryn Wilson joined Whetu and this pair put on 53 runs to guide the school to a comfortable 6 wicket victory with 15 overs to spare.
Tomorrow we are touring the WACA in the morning and the city in the afternoon. The boys have been truly magnificent so far. They have created a positive impression everywhere they have been. Both Mark Leighton and I have received numerous accolades applauding the boys for their play, sportsmanship and demeanor.
Image 1:
PNBHS & Guildford Grammar School after the match.
Image 2:
PNBHS Haka
Image 3:
PNBHS Old Boys Reunite at Guildford Grammar School on the Cricket Development tour in Perth.
(L-R) Gary Wenham, Ian Harris, Simon O'Connor, Rob Stratton, Roger Thurston and Stu Leighton
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