NZ Cricket First Xi Cup Review

Posted: Monday, 26 February 2018

Bethlehem College, won their way through to the NZ Cricket First XI Cup Northern District Finals, after winning the Bay of Plenty leg of the Super Smash competition. The NZ Cricket Twenty 20 Super Smash, is the alternative qualifying competition in the First XI Cup.

Round two of the Bay of Plenty Super Smash, became the Bay of Plenty title decider, after Bethlehem College and Western Heights High School posted two wins apiece in round one.

Western Heights, won the toss and asked Bethlehem College to bat first at Fergusson Park, on Thursday 22 February 2018. The Western Bay School lost an early wicket before the arrival of Cam Riley at the crease.

The Te Puke Cricket Club premier batsman went on the attack, with his team in a strong position with 57 runs on the board when the Bethlehem students second wicket fell, in the Twenty 20 match.

Riley was joined by Jack Gibson, with the pair taking Bethlehem College through to 200 for the lost of just two wickets, in their allotted overs. Cam Riley finished with an unbeaten 86, which included seven 6’s and four 4’s, with Jack Gordon smacking 73 not out with an identical seven 6’s in his tally.

Western Heights were in early trouble losing their first wicket with just five runs in the scorebook. The Western Bay School bowlers continued to attack and the game was as good as over for the Rotorua side, at six down with 30 runs on the board. The end came with the third ball of the eighth over, when Western Heights were bowled out for fifty, to give Bethlehem College a massive 150 run victory.

Luke Elliffe led the way for the Bethlehem College bowling attack, taking three wickets for just 8 runs, with Blair Mellsop and Jacob Marshall being rewarded for bowling good line and length with two wickets each.

First XI Cup Super Smash – Round Two (22 February 2018) Results

Bay of Plenty Final

Bethlehem College 200/2 (Cam Riley 86no, Jack Gordon 73no) defeated Western Heights High School 50 (Luke Elliffe 3/8, Blair Mellsop 2/4, Jacob Marshall 2/14)

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