Doleman Cup: HSOB shoot to the top

EYES ON THE BALL: High School Old Boys batsman Thorn Parkes plays a watchful stroke on his way to a personal tally of 84 runs against Horouta in Doleman Cup cricket at Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday. HSOB won the game by 167 runs. Pictures by Liam Clayton

Dazzling performances with bat and ball have propelled High School Old Boys back to the top of Doleman Cup cricket standings.

Opening batsman Tyler Phelps scored 105 and pace bowler Marshall Norris took seven wickets for 14 runs as Bollywood Stars HSOB thumped Horouta by 167 runs.

Norris was the man of the match. His seven-wicket bag came off eight overs. Only nine runs were hit off his bowling — the rest were extras — as he almost single-handedly dismantled the Horouta batting line-up.

Three of the batsmen he dismissed were out for ducks. They included opener Parminder Kulaar, in the first over, and a sixth-over golden duck that set up a hat-trick opportunity.

HSOB captain Carl Shaw said it was a match-winning performance from Norris.

“His player-of-the-day performance was something we will never forget.

“To come out and get seven wickets, bowling all eight overs on the trot without losing any speed or accuracy, was testament to his talent.”

Norris's heroics with the ball followed Phelps's century-making effort with the bat. He set up HSOB for their total of 254-5 with 105 off just 99 balls.

Thorn Parkes, batting at No.3, combined with Phelps for a 148-run partnership. Parkes contributed 84 runs to the HSOB total.

It was a “magnificent” performance by both batsmen, Shaw said.

“Tyler's innings was beautifully paced and beautiful to watch. When we were under pressure, he stepped up and showed his talent.

“Thorn looked in wonderful touch and batted extremely unselfishly, putting the team's needs before his stats.”

Shaw said that was not surprising, as Parkes was a great team man.

HSOB were missing key players after suspensions left them without opening bowler Jak Rowe and batsmen Scott Tallott and Baxter Mackay.

HSOB coped well with their absence.

In the 13th over of their opponents' innings, HSOB had Horouta at 39-7.

Fortunately for Horouta, their tail wagged, with No.8 batsman Ben Brick top-scoring (26 off 30 balls).

It was too little too late. Eight players scored less than five runs for Horouta as they crumbled to 87 all out in 22.1 overs.

Horouta captain David Situ commended Norris's performance with the ball, but felt his batsmen threw away their wickets at times.

“He bowled really well; our batsmen didn't quite apply themselves the way I wanted them to.

“Obviously, Ben (Brick) and I top-scored, but there wasn't much with the bowling . . . Parminder Kulaar did restrict them pretty well.”

Shaw said the game was “great”. His team always enjoyed playing Horouta.

“It's always played in an awesome spirit. We really appreciated their exemplary sportsmanship; they're wonderful role models for Poverty Bay cricket.”

High School Old Boys' win has given them the Doleman Cup lead. Previous leaders Gisborne Boys' High School have slipped to third place after their loss to OBR, who have taken second spot. Horouta sit at the bottom of the table, having been unable to win any of their first three games this season.

All three top teams have won two games apiece. Net run rate is the only thing separating them.