Cricket teams jostle for Doleman Cup

OFFSIDE DRIVE: Horouta’s Marty Brandso hits this delivery through the off side during Saturday’s Doleman Cup game against Campion College. Brandso took five wickets for 25 runs off six overs to help Horouta to a 105-run win. Picture by Liam Clayton

DEFENDING Doleman Cup champions Pirates face the real possibility of not making the playoffs heading into tomorrow’s final round-robin clash against Gisborne Boys' High School 1, at Harry Barker Reserve.

Landmark Homes Bains Construction OBR top the table with 16 points while Tamarind High School Old Boys, Kevin Holllis Glass Pirates, Horouta and Boys’ High are level on 12 points.

OBR play Campion College, on eight points, so will either finish on 16 or 20. Horouta play Gisborne Boys’ High (2) and barring the biggest upset of the season, will have 16 points.

HSOB have the bye but should Boys’ High beat Pirates the champions would come fifth, by virtue of HSOB having won the last encounter between the teams.

Campion could throw a spanner in the works if they defeated OBR, as they could end up on 12 points with Pirates and HSOB, leaving a three way-tie for places that would be decided on a runs scored/wickets taken formula.

Pirates will be without their skipper and strike bowler Mitchell Turner, who is away with Poverty bay for the ND one-day tournament in Taupo.

“Yeah it’s a big game but I back us all the way,” said Turner.

“We’ve got a good team and with Daniel Torrie available after missing last week, I’m confident the boys will be up for it.”

Boys’ High will not have their rep players batsman Robbie Tallott (GBHS captain) and medium pace bowler Jak Rowe. Both will be missed and their absence could tip the game in favour of Pirates.

No concerns for other gamesOBR club captain Ian Loffler said his side were not worried about what was happening in the other games.

“There are a few different outcomes which could eventuate for the semis but we’re not worried about what’s happening in the other games,” said OBR club captain, Ian Loffler, who misses the game after injuring a hamstring in last week’s win against Horouta.

“We’re just concentrating on finishing the round well, all the focus is on Campion.”

OBR will also be without two of their bowling attack, spinner and skipper Jonathan Purcell, away with the Bay rep team and medium pacer Zane Boyle, unavailable. Campion co-captain Caleb Greaves said it was all hands on deck as they try to keep their semifinals hopes alive.

“We’ve got all our players back and rearing to go for the weekend,” said Greaves, who along with Patrick Mathers and Marshall Norris could be playing their last games for Campion before leaving school.

“Some have been attending extra training and working hard on their own in the nets over the past few weeks, including James Torrie (co-captain).

“He’s been batting tirelessly in the nets this week and has been hitting the ball really well. Sam Patterson has also been working hard overthe past few weeks. OBR have a good bowling attack as they have done for a long time. They’ve had the most consistent new ball pair over (Jimmy Holden and Matt Cook) the past few seasons.

“Their batting is also consistent and Nick Greeks is a massive hitter. We have a slim chance of making the semifinals, so a win is the only thing on our minds. We aren’t too concerned about any of the other results this weekend. If we win, we give ourselves a chance to make the playoffs."

Aiming for the top fourAt the start of the season Hope Cup (bottom four) champions club captain Greg Taylor said the aim was the top four.

A win against GBHS (2), who have not won a game this season, will achieve that goal.

Apart from spinner Clarence Campbell (scoring for the Bay in Taupo) and all-rounder Dogar Puria, who injured his thumb last week, Horouta will be at full strength.

Horouta captain, wicketkeeper and opening batsman Bryan Forde has been in top form this season and led from the front.

POINTS: OBR 16 points, Pirates 12 HSOB 12, Horouta 12, GBHS (1) 12, Campion College 12, GBHS (2) .