Embrace the challenge says coach

Jak Rowe on the pitch. Picture by Paul Rickard

GISBORNE Boys’ High School coach Ben O’Brien-Leaf wants his team to embrace the challenge of playing a strong Tamarind High School Old Boys team in Round 2 of the DJ Barry Cup in local cricket tomorrow.

“I want the boys to enjoy the experience, to look at it as playing a higher standard, not necessarily harder,” O’Brien-Leaf said.

“It’s an honour to play for the first 11 and a lot of this team will be playing in the Super 8 competition here in a couple of weeks. But I also want them to up their strike rate.

“Without Robbie Tallott (playing for the Northern Districts under-17 team in Lincoln), Korban Harrison and Ryan Nepe (both unavailable) Drew Scott will be leading what is a very young team, mainly Year 10 boys.

“The emphasis will be on upping our strike rate, with good running between the wickets.

“That way we can put pressure on the fielders.”

Scott opened the batting last week when Boys’ High came within 14 runs of beating Doleman Cup champions Landmark Homes Bain Construction OBR, and posted his maiden half-century.

He received good support from Matt McNeil, who scored 33 on debut.

“It’s going to be tough without Robbie, who is doing a fantastic job leading the side,” O’Brien-Leaf said.

“He’s one of only two Year 13 players in the side and has shown remarkable patience and tolerance.

“As a senior Poverty Bay rep and ND age-group rep, he has the respect of the younger players.

“They will be facing Jak Rowe, a former teammate who has also played for the Bay, and we all know how good Jak is.”

Phelps is delightedHSOB skipper Tyler Phelps is deighted to have Rowe added to his bowling attack.

“Straight away it gives us a wicket-taker,” Phelps said.

“Jak has settled into the team well during training. Caleb (Greaves, former Campion College spinner), who played for us before Christmas, gives us another bowling opiton.

“Unfortunately we won’t have Sam and Gary Singh and Rowan Smith this weekend.”

The Singhs have been impressive performers for HSOB this season and will be missed.

And while HSOB should be too strong, Phelps said he wasn’t taking anything for granted.

‘“They’re in a rebuilding stage but if we don’t get early wickets they could build momentum. They pushed Pirates close last week and have some promising young players in the squad. And they’ve got some tidy bowlers.

“They’ll miss Robbie (Tallott) for his batting and bowling but we can’t afford to take them lightly. After the bye last week, It’s our first game in the DJ Barry Cup this season and we want to start with a win.”

Landmark Homes Bain Construction OBR play a Gisborne Boys’ High (2) side who had to default to Campion College last week. With the first 11 missing key players, Boys’ High player-coach Paul Jefferson will be in a similar situation this weekend.

“I really hope they can get a team,” OBR club captain and middle-order batsman Ian Loffler said.

“Nobody likes to get the points that way. We would all rather play and earn them.”