Cricket: Hamilton Boys' clinch title hat-trick

Josh Borell smashes a boundary for New Plymouth Boys' against Tauranga Boys' in the third and fourth play-off at Nicholson Field yesterday.. Photo / John Borren

Hamilton Boys' High School annexed their third successive Super Eight crown when they comfortably defeated Palmerston North Boys' High School, in the 2015 title decider at Fergusson Park yesterday.

Hamilton Boys' won the toss and asked their Manawatu opponents to bat. At six down with 100 runs on the board Palmerston North had plenty of work to do. They lost a further wicket at the 131 run mark, before three further wickets fell in quick order, with the Palmerston side dismissed for just 133. Matti Clarke grabbed four cheap wickets, with bowler of the tournament Brayden Gaylor returning 3/28.

Led by batsman of the tournament Jake Gibson who posted 35 not out, the Hamilton side reached their target with five wickets in hand, to add the 2015 Super Eight crown to their 2013 and 2014 titles.

Hamilton were never really troubled throughout the four days of the tournament. They posted 166 and 103 run victories batting first and an eight-wicket win to go with their five-wicket final victory.

Hosts Tauranga Boys' College equalled last year's performance by finishing fourth when they were beaten by New Plymouth Boys High School yesterday.

The Tauranga side had first use of the batting strip at Nicholson Field and were dismissed for 160 in the 43rd over.

Sean Dykes top-scored with 56, with Tauranga Boys' bowler Gurwinder Singh compiling a handy 22 runs.

Tim Williams was the pick of the New Plymouth bowlers returning 3/39.

New Plymouth opener Josh Borrell got his side away to a good start with a patient 45. Just when Tauranga Boys' had fought their way back into the match, Sam Morrison arrived at the crease to take them home to victory with an unbeaten 45 runs.

Results

Championship Final
Palmerston North BHS 133 (I Harris 24, M Hughes 22; M Clarke 4/17, B Gaylor 3/28) lost to Hamilton BHS 134/5 (J Gibson 35no)

Playoff for Third/Fourth
Tauranga Boys College 160 (S Dykes 56, G Singh 22; T Williams 3/29, D Mills 2/15, B Lilley 2/38) lost to New Plymouth BHS 161/5 (J Borrell 45, S Morrison 45no; S Wakelin 2/37)

Playoff for Fifth/Sixth - Hastings BHS 71 lost to Napier BHS 72/3
2015 Super Eight Batsman of the Tournament: Jake Gibson (Hamilton BHS)
2015 Super Eight Bowler of the Tournament: Brayden Gaylor (Hamilton BHS)