Max Briant (4-31) contained the early onslaught and dismantled the top order by getting the key wickets of Tallott and Parkes.
The Boys’ High bowlers put in a tidy performance. They gave away only eight wides and stemmed the flow of runs as they restricted the middle order.
The game was in the balance as Boys’ High began their innings. Their target looked to be par for the wicket, but HSOB were able to defend their total.
Rowe captained HSOB in the absence of Carl Shaw, who has been unavailable to play for the past two games.
Rowe said the blistering start by HSOB was complemented by the team’s fighting spirit when things got tough.
“We came back through the middle (of the innings), and we were able to get back on top in the end and set a good total.”
HSOB were able to back up their batting with a strong performance in the field, and took wickets regularly, he said.
The Boys’ High batting effort never really got going. They lost both of their openers for one run apiece and only two of their batsmen got into double figures.
Five of the six HSOB bowlers took wickets. They exposed the GBHS middle order early and worked their way through the batting line-up.
Rowe was outstanding. He took three wickets for four runs off five overs, three of which were maidens.
Josiah Turner top-scored for Boys’ High with 28 from 18 balls, batting at No.8, in a quick-fire innings that included a six.
The slow start for Boys’ High put pressure on the team to play reckless shots, and they were unable to keep up with the required run-rate.
The entire team lost their wicket to catches, as HSOB capitalised on their opportunities and punished Boys’ High mistakes.
GBHS coach Mal Trowell said his team’s energy was a bit flat.
“At the start, we bowled too short but we clawed our way back into it.”
He said Tallott batted well and punished the bad deliveries.
“We were always chasing the required run rate . . . our guys went out searching for the ball with the bat.”
Trowell said the absence of batsman Nicholas Hendrie meant their batting was not as strong but they were hoping other top-order batsmen would find form and provide a solid foundation.
“HSOB bowled tight, with good line and length that didn’t give us anything.”
