HENDRIE TON GIVES A BOOST

Watchful batting: Gisborne Boys’ High School skipper Nathan Trowell watches the ball carefully as High School Old Boys wicketkeeper Scott Tallott waits for any slip-up. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

A century to Nicholas Hendrie helped Gisborne Boys' High School to an impressive victory over High School Old Boys in Doleman Cup cricket on Saturday.

Hendrie, one of the adults adding experience to the Boys' High first 11 this year, scored 102 before he was caught in the deep by Jak Rowe off the bowling of Gaurav Chetan. Hendrie was looking to slog the ball to leg side but didn't get enough of his bat on it.

Galaxy World GBHS batted first and were all out for 210, their last wicket falling to the final ball of the innings.

They then dismissed Bollywood Stars HSOB for 160 runs off 33.5 overs.

Boys' High had looked as if they were heading towards a great total when Hendrie was at the wicket, but they lost five wickets in the last 13 balls of the innings. Meanwhile, HSOB were left to rue a missed catch early in Hendrie's innings.

Hendrie was well supported by Cohen Loffler (35), who kept the runs ticking over. But when Hendrie was out, Loffler was dismissed with the next ball.

Boys' High coach Mal Trowell said Hendrie's innings helped set up the side for the win, but it was still a team effort.

“It was good to see the whole team contribute . . . the commitment in the field was outstanding,” Trowell said.

He said HSOB were a good test. Boys' High were able to keep their composure under pressure, and a good bowling performance late in the game clinched the win.

Boys' High captain Nathan Trowell said it was “tough cricket” and the most competitive atmosphere many of the students had experienced.

“The lengths the HSOB pace bowlers hit were demanding to score from but that 151-run partnership between Cohen Loffler and Nick Hendrie was great to watch,” he said.

“Then to bowl out a team containing guys we've grown up watching play for Poverty Bay . . . we were stoked.”

Early in their innings, HSOB looked as if they were up to the task of chasing down the Boys' High total. After losing opener Tyler Phelps early, they composed themselves and bounced back.

A second-wicket partnership that produced a half-century from Scott Tallott and a handy 26 from Baxter Mackay held until the 19th over.

Marshall Norris chipped in with an undefeated 36 off 40 balls, but he didn't get much help from the other end.

The HSOB tail-enders came to the wicket early, and Boys' High were able to capitalise.

The last six HSOB batsmen scored a total of nine runs. Four of them were dismissed without scoring.

HSOB captain Carl Shaw said his side's batting was disappointing, but Boys' High batted well.

“Too many people were getting good starts and getting themselves out, or just throwing their wicket away, like I did.

“Boys' High batted really well in partnerships.”

Shaw said it was great to see how the older players who were added to the Boys' High squad instilled confidence in the students.

“It's great for Poverty Bay cricket.”

He said the HSOB bowlers rallied late in the Boys' High innings.

“Angus (Orsler) and Jak (Rowe) did a phenomenal job of shutting down the last few overs,” Shaw said.

He reckoned their bowling kept the Boys' High total about 30 runs short of what it might have been.

“I'm very pleased with both their spells, opening and closing.”

Both teams showed passion, and Boys' High stayed composed when the going got tough.

Boys' High now sit at the top of the leaderboard as the only undefeated team after the second round.

Mal Trowell said it was exciting to see the Gisborne Boys' High School decision to re-enter the A Grade paying off.