Napier Boys’ HS and Westlake Boys’ HS were made to fight hard for their opening day victories at the Secondary School Boys First XI Cup – winning by 3 wickets and 1 wicket, respectively.
Chasing Hutt International’s total of 245/6, Napier were saved by the hard-hitting pair of Jacob Cotter (40* off 22) and Joshua Young (39 off 20), who smashed a vital 68-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Opening batter Andrew Rawnsley (81 off 129) showed resilience at the top of the NBHS order, while Joey Treacey (100* off 121) scored a classy century for HIBS earlier in the day.
Westlake Boys were able to take 11 runs of the final over of the match to claim an unlikely victory over St Paul’s Collegiate.
Davies (left) and Van Zyl (right) shared an important partnership for Westlake - NZC
Jordan van Zyl (61 off 74) and Oliver Davies (57 off 58) shared an important partnership of 97 runs, taking the game deep into the second innings.
No. 11 batsman, Darcy Taylor (9 off 4), stole the show – clubbing a six over wide long on to all but seal the deal.
Max Makeham (57 off 85) and Kalen Lake (55 off 45) were the pick of the St Paul’s batters, while Tom Yetsenga (2-27) impressed with the ball.
Christchurch Boys’ HS left round one with a comprehensive 8-wicket victory on the Bert Sutcliffe Oval.
Their bowling effort saw five different CBHS bowlers picking up at least one wicket, Corbyn McLurg (3-11) returning the best figures.
Despite an early breakthrough, OBHS did not have enough runs to play with – two 50+ run partnerships sealing their fate in the 23rd over.
Henry Rumball (44* off 67) played a calculated innings for CBHS, while Matt Parker (42 off 76) fought hard for OBHS.
COMPETITION CENTRE
