Tauranga Boys' off to cricket nationals

Tauranga Boys' First XI celebrate after beating Hamilton Boys'. Photo / Supplied

Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College have qualified for the Secondary School Boys' First XI Cup finals for the first time since 2011.

To get there they defeated Whangarei Boys' High School, Hillcrest High School and St Paul's Collegiate before the final against Hamilton Boys' High School who they had not beaten since 2011 en route to the finals.

Up for grabs last Friday was the right to represent Northern Districts at the national finals in December.

After a heavy dew at Jansen Park in Hamilton, the home side won the toss and invited Tauranga to bat. Finn Sears scored a hard hit 51 and Dom Crombie backed this up with 47 as Tauranga fought hard to make 189 off 50 overs. Iman Singh (25) featured in a 58 run stand with Crombie for the 5th wicket and Marcel Collett (21) added 72 with Sears at the top of the order.

In reply Rhys Mischewski (0-12 off 6) and Finn Sears (1-11 off 4) bowled well to restrict the Hamilton reply and an excellent Andy Mascall catch removed one of their key men off Sears. Tas Carsons (0-21 off 6) backed up the start and when drinks were taken after 17 overs Hamilton were 47 for 1, needing to reach the target in 42 overs due to run rate considerations.

After drinks the match turned as a Collett direct hit found the Hamilton opener short of his ground at 54/2. This triggered a collapse by Hamilton to be 68-6 after 25 overs.

Craig Baldry (2-30 off 10) got rid of Hamilton's two best hitters and two further run outs from Leef and Collett had Hamilton on the ropes. Iman Singh (1-18 off 8) chipped out the number 8 and Brad Howard wrapped it up with 2-6 off 3 overs, with another run out by Mascall.

Ben Pomare did a fine job with the gloves and captain Mikaere Leef led the Tauranga Boys' team superbly throughout the week.

Some individual highlights were Rhys Mischewski taking 6/12 v Whangarei Boys', Marcel Collett 62 and Leef 49 v Hillcrest High, and against St Paul's Collett made 63, Dominic Crombie 46 and Tas Carsons took 3/29.