After an exciting come from behind win over St Peters College from Auckland, the team was on a high heading into their game against Te Aute College, with the winner advancing to the final against Gisborne Boys' High School. In the field first, the team was hoping to work with a formula that had proven mostly successful again. With Te Aute scoring 1 run in their first at-bat, Palmy were able to get their first 3 batters home and apply early scoreboard pressure. No runs were added either way in the second innings, however, Te Aute were able to add a further run at the top of the 3rd before Palmy got 2 more over the home plate. Another run in the 3rd for Te Aute closed the score to 3 -5 before Kalani Grant was able to get on base and then Jacahn Roberts hit a 100 metre plus home run into a neighbouring property. This saw both batters in and Palmy up 7-3. Te Aute had one last chance adding another run and with time almost up, Palmy went into bat adding another run and with time up, a finals berth secured.
With a short break, the boys were able to catch their breath and prepare for the final they had worked so hard to make. Fielding as had been the case for every game, Tre Wihongi continued where he left off, pitching with outstanding control and Gisborne were 3 up, 3 down and Palmy looking to assert early pressure once again. With 2 runners home in the first inning, the boys had the strong start they desired and at the top of the 2nd, removed Gisborne without scoring again. Palmy were able to get another 4 home in the bottom of the second and take a large 6-0 lead after 2 innings. Confidence was high at this stage of play. Gisborne started to claw their way back snagging 2 in the 3rd innings and with Palmy failing to add in the 3rd or 4th innings the score was 6-2 going into the 5th. Gisborne needed to score and that they did, with their 3 top batters home. This brought the score to 6-5 and the chance to add further runs was not taken so Gisborne went into the 6th innings only trailing by 1. With a change of pitcher, Jachan was able to remove Gisborne without adding to their total. In their next at-bat, Palmy were able to re-apply the pressure with Tre on base and Joe Simpson-Smith at the plate scoring a home run from an error and taking the score out to 8-5. In the last innings, Gisborne got players on base but Jachan kept a level head and was able to remove the team with no further runs added, meaning Palmy did not need to bat again and had secured the win and the North Island Secondary School Title.
The team involved was: Jaachn Roberts, Cam Scott, Tre Wihongi, Joe Simpson-Smith, Glenn Stringer, Haimona Maruera, Boston Scoon-Walter, Sam Johanson, Kalani Grant, Nathaniel Leask, Joel McMillan, Blake Meads and Brayden Christian.
The team would like to thank the amazing support they received from whanau, friends and staff. A special thanks also to Old Boy and coach, Sam Selby-Law whose calm approach was integral to the team's success.
