New Zealand Cricket Schools Competitions commence

Posted: Friday, 16 February 2018

Bay of Plenty Schools cricket, has quickly hit top gear with the start of the New Zealand Cricket Schools competitions, which culminate with the National Finals in Term Four of the school year.

Four competitions that range from the National Primary competitions to the NZCT Junior Secondary championship and the NZCT Secondary Schoolgirls and First XI Cup (Secondary Schoolboys) - are occupying centre stage during February and March 2018.

Bethlehem College and Western Heights High School posted two significant wins apiece, in the opening round of the BOPCA First XI Cup Super Smash, played at Fergusson Park in Tauranga on Thursday 15 February 2018.

The NZ Cricket Twenty 20 Super Smash, is the alternative qualifying competition in the First XI Cup, which was utilised by Aquinas College last year to make the ND First XI Cup Finals tournament.

Otumoetai College batted first in their twenty over per side encounter with Western Heights High School and posted a very respectable 130/6, with Kuldeep Singh top scoring with 44 runs. The Rotorua representatives then proceeded to cruise to victory for the loss of a solitary wicket. BJ Astwood led the way with 56 runs with Cameron Avery posting an unbeaten 52.

Mount Maunganui College, who were forced to spread their resources due to the schools athletics championships, were involved in a short and sharp affair with Bethlehem College. With a player retiring hurt, the Mount school side finished their turn at bat at 20/9, with Bethlehem College reaching their target in 4.2 overs with eight wickets to spare. Luke Elliffe was the best of the Bethlehem bowler with three wickets for just four runs.

Mount Maunganui put up a more spirited performance in their afternoon game against Western Heights High School. Western Heights posted 195/2, with the Rotorua openers in Cameron Ingram and BJ Astwood putting on an opening stand of 156. Ingram posted the highest score of the T20 field-day with 84, with Astwood scoring his second half century of the day.

The Mount Maunganui reply went the distance to reach 99 for the loss of eight wickets. Tamati Wikaria was a shining light in the Mount innings, top scoring with 43 off 35 balls, with Cameron Ingram again in the limelight with three wickets at a cost of 8 runs.

Bethlehem College finished their day with another solid win after clinically disposing of the challenge from Otumoetai College. Western Heights reached 109/4, with Jack Gordon leading the way with a quick-fire 35. However game honours belonged to the Bethlehem bowlers who removed Otumoetai College for just 30 runs. Cameron Murray collected four wickets for just 12 runs, with Jayden Reid and Luke Elliffe grabbing three wicket bags.

In other schools cricket news - Tauranga Boys College Junior Secondary team progressed to the ND Final, after easily beating Gisborne Boys High School on Wednesday 7th February, at Nicholson Field.

The NZ Cricket Junior Secondary competition is the only school tournament not to run during the calendar year. Tauranga Boys had advanced to the ND rounds of play in term four of the 2017 school year.

The Western Bay of Plenty School team bowed first and skittled the Poverty Bay representatives for just 61. Liam Collett, Daniel Stratton and Isaac White, took two wickets apiece, with all returning extremely economical bowling figures. The Tauranga Boys victory was a walk in the park with nine wickets in hand. Joe Smythe led the way with an unbeaten 27 runs.

First XI Cup Super Smash - Round One (15 February 2018) Results
Otumoetai College 130/6 (Kuldeep Singh 44; Cameron Ingram 2/20) lost to Western Heights HS 132/1 (BJ Astwood 56, Cameron Ingram 52no)

Mount Maunganui College 20/9 (Luke Elliffe 3/ 4, Quinn Silcock 2/2) lost to Bethlehem College 21/2
Western Heights HS 195/2 (Cameron Ingram 84, BJ Astwood 54no) defeated Mount Maunganui College 99/8 Tamati Wikaria 43; Cameron Ingram 3/8)

Bethlehem College 109/4 (Jack Gordon 35; A Todd 3/24) defeated Otumoetai College 30 (Cameron Murray 4/12, Jayden Reid 3/6, Luke Elliffe 3/7)

ND Junior Secondary Semi-Final
Gisborne BHS 61 (Liam Collett 2/7, Daniel Stratton 2/8, Isaac White 2/9) lost to Tauranga Boys College 62/1 (Joe Smythe 27no)

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