Bryant plays an innings to remember

MAIDEN TON: Twelve-year-old opening batsman Kelan Bryant scored 115 not out off 58 balls for Gisborne Intermediate in their win against Campion College yesterday. It was his first century. Picture supplied

CRICKET

A GOOD young cricketer has left his mark.

Kelan Bryant scored his maiden century yesterday — 115 not out off 58 balls — in the last interschool game of the season.

He hit eight sixes and 13 fours in Gisborne Intermediate’s 108-run win against Campion College at Gisborne Intermediate (see picture on page 20).

“That’s my high score; before now, my best was 62 in the Colts T30 league,” said the 12-year-old opening batsman, Gisborne Intermediate’s MVP (most valuable player) in the match.

“I’ve wanted a century since I made my first fifty (51) against St Peter’s last year. I wanted a century because those are remembered.”

Campion captain Hamish Swann won the toss and chose to bowl.

The home team lost only one wicket — that of skipper Jarrod Ormiston, caught and bowled by Catherine Moles (1-16 off two overs) for 26 — with the score at 68 after 8.2 overs. First-drop Bekko Page (24 off 22 balls) played an excellent support role in the 132-run stand with Bryant that took the total to 200.

Campion had lost three wickets for 92 runs at the end of 20 overs in a gritty batting display. Opener Swann, his team’s MVP, played with great maturity, waiting for — and then hammering — any short-pitched delivery. He made 49 at a run a ball, No.4 Connor Starck (10 off 21) also impressing with his calmness, deft placement of the ball and speed between wickets.

“I enjoyed playing our mates from Gis Int and they batted well — 200 is a big total in 20 overs,” said Swann, who also led his Colts league team, the Bollywood High School Old Boys’ Pups, to the T30 title at the Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday.

“That said, we tried our best and showed improvement from that six-wicket loss at home to Ilminster Intermediate School last week.”

Gisborne Intermediate School principal Glen Udall said: “I was proud of the way our boys played, and Campion showed some fight today. The game was a wonderful advertisement for the spirit of cricket.

“Kelan’s ton was of the highest quality and Bekko showed great skill in his ability to rotate strike. We were also tidy in the field and at the bowling crease (seamer John Broad took 1-7 off 2.4 overs).”