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NZSS BOYS’ 1ST XI CUP FINALS – GAME 1 VS TAURANGA BOYS’ COLLEGE

 
Picture of Ella Mitchell
NZSS BOYS’ 1ST XI CUP FINALS – GAME 1 VS TAURANGA BOYS’ COLLEGE
i le Ella Mitchell - Tuesday, 5 December 2017, 2:21 PM
 

NZSS BOYS’ 1st XI CUP FINALS – GAME 1 VS TAURANGA BOYS’ COLLEGE

After a lacklustre warmup, Ben O’Connor won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry wicket and lightning-quick outfield. Unfortunately, the lack of enthusiasm in the warmup spilled over into the batting as a number of lazy shots led to wickets tumbling regularly. At 39 for 4, a stauncher effort was required and it came when the consistent Tom Tremain was joined by Ruben Love. They batted for 22 overs and advanced the score to 102 before Ruben’s demise was once again followed by a flurry of ill-considered choices which left the team at 125 all out in the 44th over. The shining light in the innings was Tom Tremain who carried his bat to be 58 not out. Ruben Love scored 25.

A far more committed effort was required in the field and the team finally switched on and produced a hard-nosed, fighting effort. The bowling was tight and the fielding on point as they made Tauranga fight for every run of a low target. This led to wickets falling as the batsmen got the jitters, but the required run rate proved to be too easy to maintain and they surpassed it with 8 wickets down in the 49th over. An outstanding effort in the field by PNBHS, but it proved to be a bridge too far. Jack Harris took 2 for 28, Bryn Wilson 2 for 23 and Rishabh De 2 for 21. Mention must also be made of the spinners, Finn Martin with 1 for 20 from 10 and Ben O’Connor 1 for 14 from 10.

While a loss is not the ideal way to start the finals, success is still achievable if the team can take their performance in the field as a blueprint for the rest of the week.

Tuesday, the 1st XI take on HIBS on Fitzherbert.