PNBHS 1st XI VS Kapiti College 1st XI – Gillette Cup Qualifier – 21/02
Winning the toss, Curtis Heaphy elected to bat first and make the most of home advantage. The PNBHS openers started well, keeping up a good run-rate to reach 50 for none in the first 10 overs. A 66-run first wicket partnership was broken by an unfortunate run out, but the second wicket took the score to 115 before 2 batsmen fell in quick succession in the 23rd over. This brought Logan Love to the wicket to join Jaiden Meyer and after a period of consolidation, these 2 set about building the defining partnership of the match. Running well between the wickets and being harsh on anything loose, they passed the 200-run partnership and went on to score personal milestones in achieving their first centuries for the 1st XI, taking the team to a mammoth 339 for 3 in 50 overs. Josh Campbell scored 30 and Lachie Bradford 49, but it was Jaiden Meyer with 107 from 118 balls and Logan Love with 117 from 84 balls who were the stars of the show.
Facing a huge score, the Kapiti College batsmen were put under pressure from the outset, as the Boys’ High opening bowlers attacked with accuracy and pace and were backed up by sharp fielding. A catch in the first over, followed by a run out and another catch in the 3rd started the rot and the Kapiti players struggled to recover. With an injured player unable to bat, they were skittled in the 15th over for 30. Angus Lyver took 2 for 6 and Thomas Kirk was the destroyer-in-chief with 5 for 12.
A win to PNBHS by 309 runs and a good start to this year’s Gillette Cup campaign.
