Boys’ High resist spirited Campion challenge

Gisborne Boys’ High School celebrate victory. They are, back (from left): Jack Whitehead-McKay, Adam Whibley, Robert Schwass, Claude Sutherland, Travis Mitchell, Jacob Colbert, Ben O’Brien-Leaf (coach). Front: Travis O’Rourke, Matt McNeil, Drew Scott (captain), Jack Faulkner, Paul Stewart (vice-captain). Picture suppplied

Gisborne Boys’ High School retained the Hope Cup but were made to work hard by never-say-die Campion College at Harry Barker Reserve yesterday.

Chasing 90 to win, Boys’ High lost eight wickets before reaching their target in Poverty Bay cricket’s bottom-three 40-over competition final.

“Campion College deserve a lot of credit for the way they played,” Boys’ High coach Ben O’Brien-Leaf said.

“This wasn’t an easy game to win.”

Campion player-coach Mark Naden, who top-scored with 20, said he was disappointed to lose but immensely proud of his players.

“Full credit to Boys’ High — they deserved the win — but we gave them a fright, which is more than we did last year when they thumped us.

“That’s two games in a row we’ve batted our 40 overs (Campion were eight down) which has been one of our goals this season. It’s also two practice runs for the final . . . next year we’ll be back looking to win it.”

Richard Briant gave Naden support with 15 runs.

Adam Whibley, one of four Boys’ High players with Poverty Bay senior representative experience, took the bowling honours with figures of 4-28 off 10 overs.

Paul Stewart, another Bay player, chipped in with 2-8 off six as Campion were restricted to 89.

Boys’ High lost wickets at regular intervals before getting home.

Robert Schwass led the charge with 22 runs. Travis Mitchell scored 19 and Stewart was last man out, for 15.

Stewart showed the benefit of his rep experience as he batted with maturity and patience, treasuring his wicket.

GBHS 90-8 ( R Schwass 22, T Mitchell 19; Nathan Andrews 2-9, Luke Hurlstone 2-26, Liam Barbier 2-32) def Campion College 89-8 (M Naden 20, R Briant 15; A Whibley 4-28, P Stewart 2-8).