CUTTING THROUGH COVER: High School Old Boys batsman Glen Udall is up on his toes as he hammers this delivery to the boundary. Picture by Paul Rickard
HIGH School Old Boys should go a long way towards sealing top spot and a place in the DJ Barry Cup final when they play Gisborne Boys’ High School at Harry Barker Reserve tomorrow.
Bollywood Stars HSOB have defeated their two main rivals, Old Boys Rugby and Pirates, which puts them in a commanding position heading into their 40-over game against Boys’ High tomorrow. They also have games against Horouta and Campion to come.
One of the players leading the HSOB revival this season is Gisborne Intermediate principal Glen Udall.
“We’re trying to ride the consistency train, and Pat (Udall) is the one driving us on and off the field,” said skipper Scott Tallott, who heads the DJ Barry Cup batting averages with 56.50, with a strike rate of 129.89.
“Pat’s amazing. During his early days with the club, HSOB were one of the top teams, winning trophies and being in finals.
“He’s brought back a lot of that team cultutre and what it means to play for HSOB, and the boys are loving it.
“We’re training regularly and it’s showing in the way we’re playing.
“Off the field, Pat and Ryan Majstrovic have worked hard to get us sponsorship and grants, which always help.
“He’s sharp behind the sticks and against OBR picked up a brilliant leg-side stumping and took four catches. I’m the Bay wicketkeeper but I throw the gloves to Glen. He’s also a great man to bat with.
“If he sees you lose focus he just has a quiet word and gets you back on track.
“I love batting with him at the other end, as do all the boys. He’s a proud HSOB man and wants to play as long as the body lets him. Since coming back on board he’s galvanised the club.”
Udall one of the top fiveUdall is one of five HSOB batsmen in the top five of the batting standings with an average of 32 and a strike rate of 70.33 from his two games.
Boys’ High coach Ben O’Brien-Leaf said his bowling attack — made up of improved medium-pace and promising spin — must bowl to good plans and be adaptable.
“For us to stand a chance of winning, intensity in the field and holding hard catches will be crucial,” he said.
“Last weekend was a good one for HSOB. They were excellent in all parts of the game.
“When their top order batsmen fire as a unit, they’re difficult to remove. Containing them will be a challenge.”
Bain Construction OBR club captain and top-order batsman Ian Loffler said his team were embarrassed about the batting performance last week.OBR were dismissed for 56 by a rampant HSOB.
“We have to improve shot selection and not give our wickets away so easily,” Loffler said.
“We’ll have Hamish Evans and Jimmy Holden available to play Pirates, which will strengthen the bowling line-up.
“We see Hamish as an all-rounder and he’ll improve with more game time.
“Pirates have got a good young team and they’ll be hard to beat. It’s a key match before we go into our last two games.”
Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates vice-captain and all-rounder Dane Thompson expects HSOB to finish top and have a weekend off before the final.
“It would take a couple of big upsets to knock them off top spot,” Thompson said.
“The battle is on for second and third and a win tomorrow would go a long way towards securing one of those positions.”
Pirates medium-pacer Tayla Hollis is away with the Northern Spirit women’s team in Christchurch and will be missed, but Pirates have recruited Poverty Bay’s most consistent rep batsman, Thomas Hayes.
“Tom (based in Hamilton) is eligible for the semis and final if we get there,” said Thompson, who admitted he was surprised at OBR’s collapse last week.
“They’ve probably got the best bowling attack in the competition but HSOB put 232 runs on them and then took early wickets.”
Coastal Ultrasound Horouta are in second place and, barring a major upset, will cement that position when they take on Campion College.“We’re not looking at the points table,” said Horouta opener and club captain Greg Taylor.
“We want to build on last week’s performance (a 48-run loss to Pirates, in 25.2 overs) and bat out 40 overs.
“We’re hoping to field a similar line-up to last weekend, as continuity is the key, although we won’t have Duncan Gibson (in Dunedin) or Bick Chand (Auckland).”
Vaughan Thompson and Taylor will come into the side, while Taylor is hoping to have Billy Morse and Prince Malhotra available.
DJ Barry Cup standings: High School Old Boys 50 points; Horouta 31, Pirates 30, Old Boys Rugby 29, Gisborne Boys’ High School 28, Campion College 1.