Super 8 Cricket Tournament, Tauranga
Day 2 - PNBHS 1stXI VS Tauranga Boys’ College 1stXI - 29/01/19
Captain Jack Wenham was happy to win the toss and bat first on a dry looking Tauranga Boys’ No 1 pitch. The opening batsmen made a steady, if slow, start as targets were reset, with the wicket keeping low and takin prodigious turn. Then the old malady set in as the disastrous 16thover saw PNBHS go from 33 for 1 to 34 for 4 in the space of four balls. The team never recovered from this as a succession of batsmen made bad decisions and exhibited poor match awareness to be bowled out in 35.2 overs for a paltry 61. There were no scores of any note.
After a short lunch break, the 1stXI took the field knowing that it would require a monumental effort to win and stay in contention for the final. Unfortunately, the opening bowlers were guilty of gifting the opposition wides and the much-vaunted leg-spinners could not find their lengths. It was left up to left-arm orthodox spinner, Charlie Lourie to take up the challenge. He bowled an inspired spell to rip the heart out of the opposition line-up. However, he lacked support from the other end and his efforts were in vain as Tauranga scored 65 for 6 in 18.3 overs. Charlie Lourie took 4 for 5 in 6 overs.
Tomorrow, the team faces Napier Boys’ at Fergusson Park in a must-win to be in contention for a top 4 spot.
