King's College stretch their lead in the Gillette Cup finals
King’s College have continued their winning streak, this time brushing aside Tauranga Boys’ College by nine wickets to take their tally to a maximum six points from three matches with two rounds remaining.
Christ’s College move into second place after recording a five wicket win over Otago Boys’ High while Palmerston North picked up their first win of the tournament, beating Hutt International Boys’ School by 20 runs.
Otago Boys' High School v Christ's College
Christ’s College completed a fine run chase to overcome Otago Boys in the 49th over and win by five wickets.
Otago Boys’ won the toss and decided to bat. At 66 for three they were in danger of a but Michael Collins steadied for Otago. Collins hit an incredible eight sixes and five fours to bring his up his second century in two days. His sublime innings came off just 79 deliveries as he single-handedly elevated the Southerners to 215 for nine off their 50 overs. Christ’s College’s Hamish Robertson ended with the impressive figures of two for 12 off ten overs.
In reply, Christ’s got off to a solid start and found themselves 91 for one after 20 overs. Will Uttley was unlucky not to get his half century, falling at 49 to Josh Renton. But the runs came thick and fast for the local team with four of the first six batsmen getting scores of over 35. Timothy McGoldrick (46) and Daniel Sharples (27) put on a 50 run partnership for the 6th wicket and struck the final runs in the 49th over. It was a well-paced run chase by Christ’s College, who collected their second victory of the tournament. Renton did everything he could for Otago, but his figures of one for 19 off ten overs weren’t enough to stop a Christ’s College victory.
Otago Boys’ High School 215-9 (Collins 106, Robertson 2-12) LOST to Christ’s College 217-5 (Uttley 49, McGoldrick 46)
Result: CHRIST'S COLLEGE won by 5 wickets
Full scorecard: http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1207/scorecard.aspx
Palmerston North BHS v Hutt International Boys' School
Hutt International Boys’ School came back to give Palmerston North BHS a real scare, but failed to chase down the 210 they were set in the third day of the Gillette Cup finals.
Palmerston North decided to bat after winning the toss and found themselves in a spot of bother at 60 for four after 18 overs. James Holland steadied the ship for the batting side with a timely 67. The lower order continued to provide for Palmerston North with Regan Dewar (37) and Navin Patel (25*) helping their team get to the respectable total of 210 for eight. Will Brunton was the pick of the bowlers for Hutt and ended with figures of two for 35 in his ten overs.
Hutt’s’ innings was remarkably similar to that of Palmerston’s, as they found themselves reeling at 55 for four. Luckily they had a hero of their own - Sam Fraser played brilliantly for his 62 and was helped by cameos from Ben Skilton (25) and Nathan Canton (39). Unfortunately it wasn’t enough for Hutt International, as they were rolled for 190 in the 49th over. Robbie Yule did the most damage for Palmerston North, taking three wickets for 30 runs in 9.1 overs, leading his team to victory by 20 runs.
Palmerston North BHS 210-8 (Holland 67, Dewar 37) BEAT Hutt International Boys School 190 all out (Fraser 62, Yule 3-30)
Result: PALMERSTON NORTH BHS won by 20 runs
Full scorecard: http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1210/scorecard.aspx
Tauranga Boys' College v King's College
King’s college made it three wins in a row, easily chasing down Tauranga Boys’ College score in the 26th over. Captain Simon Hickey led his team to victory yet again with a classy unbeaten half century.
After winning the toss and deciding to bat, Tauranga cruised to 55 for one until Alex Oakley was dismissed for 27. First drop Thomas MacRury also got Tauranga off to a solid start, making 26 from 28 balls before being he edged one from Mark Chapman. Tauranga Boys’ College struggled to form a partnership for the rest of their innings and relied on bits and pieces from their lower order to claw their way to 138 all out in the 43rd over. Hickey and Michael Haddleton picked up three wickets a piece, while Ben Horne also chipped with two wickets for Kings.
In reply, King’s College never looked in trouble with openers Horne and Cameron Gibbons putting on 49 for the first wicket. When Horne was dismissed for 31, Hickey came to the crease and wasted no time chasing the remaining 90 runs to claim victory. Gibbons finished with 49, while Hickey racked up 61 runs after scoring a century yesterday. It was a dominant performance by Kings, who are improving with every match and look good to defend their title from last year.
Tauranga Boys College 138 all out (Oakley 27, Hickey 3-30) LOST to King’s College (Hickey 61, Gibbons 49)
Result: KING'S COLLEGE won by 9 wickets
Full scorecard: http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1208/scorecard.aspx
Overall standings after 3 rounds of the Gillette Cup finals:
King’s College - 6 points
Christ’s College - 4 points
Otago BHS - 3 points
Tauranga BHS - 2 points
Palmerston North BHS - 2 points
Hutt IBS - 1 points