PNBHS 1st XI VS Rathkeale College 1st XI – Gillette Cup Qualifier – Thursday 12 March
Having won the toss, the Rathkeale captain decided to bat first on a true PNBHS No 1 pitch. The Boys’ High bowlers were soon into their work, taking a wicket in the second over and another in the fourth, setting the opposition back on 11 for 2. A handy partnership followed, but the 1st XI bowlers kept the pressure up, forcing a run out. The introduction of spin led to the fall of regular wickets but the lack of application and awareness in the field allowed Rathkeale to advance the score to 159 before the final wicket fell. Angus Lyver took 2 for 24, Josh Campbell 2 for 11 and Charlie Lourie 3 for 38.
Chasing a niggly mid-range total can sometimes be nerve-wracking but the PNBHS openers settled the nerves with a solid opening stand of 61 before the first wicket fell in the 17th over. The incoming batsman continued the good work and despite 2 more wickets in the dying phase, Boys’ High was able to pass the target to score 163 for 3 in the 33rd over. Josh Campbell scored 29, Curtis Heaphy 49 and Lachie Bradford 56 not out.
A victory to the PNBHS 1st XI by 7 wickets means that the team qualifies for the CD Quad Gillette Cup qualifying tournament to be held at Fitzherbert Park on 25 and 26 March.
