Gillette Cup Final:
Christchurch Boy’s High School vs Hamilton Boy’s High School
Christchurch BHS won the toss and got off to a poor start with three wickets falling in the first three overs to reduce them to 3/4. To make matters worse, Christchurch's number three batman Brad Gordon had to retire hurt after his nose was broken when hit by a bouncer. Matt Rowe (31) then aided and consolidated the middle order with Gordie Giddens at number eight and Hodgson at number nine adding a patient 22 and 28 respectively to see Christchurch reach 142 in the 49th over. While the initial damage was done through a fiery spell by Scott Kuggeleijn (3/37) it was left to spinners Matt Thomas (2/27) and Mitchell Santner (2/23) who tied up the middle.
In reply Hamilton BHS lost early wickets to be 5/71 at the half way mark thanks to a solid 43 from Peter Bocock with good support from Owen Ivans (20). However in the second half of the innings only Brad Fell’s innings of 26 was notable as they fell short being all out for 131. Matt Dunn took 2/33 but it was inspired spells from Chris Burnett, 3/9 and Gordie Giddens, 1/10 that snuffed out Hamilton’s chance of winning. Christchurch wins the Gillette Cup for a fifth time in the 20th year of the competition.
Christchurch BHS 142 (Giddens 22, Hodgson 28; Kuggeleijn 3/37, Thomas 2/27, Santner 2/23) beat Hamilton BHS 131(Bocock 42, Ivans 20, Dunn 2-33, Burnett 3-9, Giddens 1-10)
Westlake Boys High School vs Palmerston North Boys High School (3rd and 4th playoff)
Westlake won the toss and batted solidly to score 225. The innings centred around a capable knock of 73 by captain Craig Cachopa who featured in sound partnerships with Elliott Herd (27) and Travis Committie (26). Bowling for Palmerston North, openers Bevan Small (2/28) and Adam Milne (3/47) were to the fore.
In reply Palmerston North lost wickets regularly with only Adam Milne (22) and Bevan Small (39) featuring until Michael Meyer (55no) found a reliable partner in James Kelly (24) to get them through to 197. Bowling for Westlake, Elliott Herd (3/34), Andrew Cowell (2/24) and Vivek Tailor (2/18).
Westlake BHS 225 (Cachopa 73, Herd 27, Committie 26; Small 2/28, Milne 3/47) beat Palmerston North BHS 197(Meyer 55no, Small 39, Kelly 24, Milne 22; Herd 3/34, Cowell 2/24, Tailor 2/18)
Whangarei Boys High School vs Otago Boys High School (5th and 6th playoff)
Whangarei batted first and were all out for 162 in the 45th over. Captain Rory Darkins with (38) and Jordan Antunovich (43) were the best of their batsmen. Bowling for Otago, Daniel Duke had outstanding figures of 5/29 and he was ably supported by Gregor Croudis with 3/31.
Croudis then lead Otago’s chase with a well compiled 40. Lance Taylor added 41 but it was left to Blair Soper to hit the last ball for four to see them reach 163/8 and win by one run. Best of the Whangarei bowlers were Alex Seymour (2/17) and Henry Cooper (2/24).
Whangarei BHS 162 (Darkins 38, Antunovich 43; Duke 5/29, Croudis 3/31) lost to Otago BHS 163-8(Taylor 41; Seymour 2/17, Cooper 2/24)
New Plymouth Boys High School vs St Patricks College (Silverstream) (7th and 8th playoff)
New Plymouth scored 198 in their 50 overs. Captain Will Young (42) was the main contributor aided by Ben Hitchcock (27) and Warwick Millar (28). For St Patricks Lachlan Donnelly was the pick of the bowlers taking 4/32.
St Patricks were quickly in trouble at 41/5 but Henry Walsh (39) and Sam Dean (31) restored some respectability. However they were dismissed for 120 thanks to the accuracy of the New Plymouth attach with Warwick Millar taking 4/33 and Mitch Brown taking 3/17.
New Plymouth BHS 198 (Young 42, Hitchcock 27, Millar 28; Donnelly 4/32) beat St Patricks College 120 (Walsh 39, Dean 31, Millar 4-33, Brown 3-17)
Gillette Cup Final Placings
Christchurch BHS
Hamilton BHS
Westlake BHS
Palmerston North BHS
Otago BHS
Whangarei BHS
New Plymouth BHS
St Patricks College (Silverstream)
