Top secondary schools complete day one of Gillette Cup finals

King’s College, Otago Boys’ High School and Christ’s College all recorded first round wins in what is proving to be a tightly fought Gillette Cup finals competition.

The tournament opened at New Zealand Cricket High Performance Centre at Lincoln University, in warm conditions – ideal for the first day of the year’s premier secondary schools tournament.

The event features the six finalists from the over 200 schools that entered the 2011 Gillette Cup national secondary schools competition.

KING'S COLLEGE vs HUTT INTERNATIONAL BOYS' SCHOOL

King College will be relieved to have navigated their first match to a victory following an intense tussle with Hutt International.

Kings would have been disappointed that they didn’t post a higher total than 161, after a solid start of 55 without loss. But after the departure of defensive opener Cameron Gibbons for eight, Kings began to lose wickets regularly. Apart from opener Ben Horne’s top score of 47 and a quick-fire 33 from last year’s player of the tournament, Simon Hickey, the Auckland based team struggled to create a substantial partnership. With each fall of wicket Kings’ run rate suffered and after 50 overs they had posted 161 for eight. Hutt International would have been happy with their performance in the field, nearly all of the bowlers chipping in with a wicket. Sam Fraser was the pick of them though, his ten overs going for just 24 while picking up two wickets.

In reply, Hutt’s top order batting line-up was disappointing. Wicket keeper Troy Johnson was the only one to push on, making an unbeaten 57. However he lacked support, lower order batsman Michael Parish the only one to make a contribution of significance, scoring a handy 39 from 65. Once Parish departed it was clear that the defending champs were well on their way to victory, holding Hutt International Boys to 127 for nine from their 50 overs. Michael Haddleton caused Hutt all types of problems collecting three for 22 from ten overs. Hutt failed to back up their fine performance in the field, losing to Kings by 34 runs.

Kings College 161-8 (Horne 47, Fraser 2-24) BEAT Hutt International Boys School 127-9 (Johnson 57*, Parish 39, Haddleton 3-22)

Result: KING'S COLLEGE won by 34 runs

Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1195/scorecard.aspx

PALMERSTON NORTH BHS vs OTAGO BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL

Otago Boys’ High School caused the first upset of the 2011 tournament with a fine win against the fancied Palmerston North Boys’ High School.

After being put in, Palmerston crumbled in the face of a disciplined Otago Boys’ bowling line-up. The North Island team lost their first three batsmen for a combined total of 18 runs, before James Holland and Hayden Hill steadied the ship with scores of 41 (Holland) and 27 (Hill). Unfortunately for Palmerston North their next highest scorer would be Extras (17) and they eventually finished their innings with a sub-par total of 133 all out from 45.2 overs. Sam Blakely and Alec Hodgson were the pick of the bowlers, picking up three wickets a piece.

In reply, Otago Boys never looked in any danger. After losing opener Tom Griffin with 18 runs on the board, the first six batsmen for Otago all managed starts and that was going to be enough when chasing a total of 133. Cameron Dunn top scored for the Southerners with 28, while Josh Renton managed to wrap up the game in the 47th over, crunching a four to win it. Navin Patel was the only bowler to make any real in-roads for Palmerston North, picking up three for 24. However, it wouldn’t be enough, Otago the victors by four wickets.

Palmerston North HBS 133 all out (Holland 41) LOST TO Otago Boys 137-6 (Dunn 28, Renton 21*)

Result: OTAGO BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL won by 4 wickets

Full scorecard: http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1196/scorecard.aspx

TAURANGA BOYS' COLLEGE vs CHRIST'S COLLEGE

Christ’s College made the most of their first appearance in the Gillette Cup finals with a commanding win over Tauranga Boys’ College.

Christ College made the most of being put into bat with the top order laying down a great platform for a big total. Hamish Robertson and Will Uttley put on 51 for the opening partnership, before Uttley was dismissed for 20. However Christ’s would throw the pressure straight back on Tauranga as J Duncan came to the wicket and hit a brilliant 51. At 156-3 after 27 overs, Christ’s were poised to push on for a big finish. Tim McGoldrick added the finishing touches with 39 off 40 balls before the local team was dismissed for 234 after 45.4 overs. Tauranga will have been dismayed when they looked at the scorebook after the first innings: they gave up 53 runs in extras! Thomas MacRury was the pick of the bowlers for Tauranga Boys High, finishing with figures of three for 42 off ten.

In reply, Tauranga Boys got off to a good start making 45 runs before losing opener Elliot Timoti for 23. His opening partner and hero with the ball, MacRury, would go on to notch up a glorious 50, capping off a brilliant day for this talented youngster. However it wouldn’t be enough. After he was dismissed for 54, the rest of the batting line-up only managed to make starts. Finally in the 48th over Tauranga Boys were dismissed 34 runs short of their target on 201. Although expensive, Angus McKellar was the pick of the bowlers, snaring three key wickets for 58 in his 10 overs.

Christ College all out 234 (Duncan 51, Robertson 45, McGoldrick 39) BEAT Tauranga Boys High 201 all out (MacRury 54, McKellar 3-58)

Result: CHRIST'S COLLEGE won by 33 runs

Full scorecard: http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1197/scorecard.aspx