HSOB out to end OBR era of dominance

TWO OF THE BEST: OBR batsman Ian Loffler and High School Old Boys wicketkeeper Glen Udall will have key roles in tomorrow’s Doleman Cup final. Both are not only good cricketers but also have experience that is invaluable. Picture by Paul Rickard

A fired-up High School Old Boys are determined to end OBR’s dominance of local cricket when they meet in the Doleman Cup final at Harry Barker Reserve tomorrow.

Bain Construction OBR are defending the first of their three trophies from last season. But they face their strongest challenge yet, against a formidable and hugely motivated Bollywood Stars High School Old Boys line-up, led by co-captains Scott Tallott and Jak Rowe.

“We were disappointed not to finish top of the round-robin format, losing top spot after going down to OBR,” Tallott said.

“We’ve been saying for a while now we have a team to win trophies. The time for talking is over. It’s time for action.”

OBR beat HSOB by three runs in a round-robin game two weeks ago but HSOB will feel they should have won it.

Rowe and David Salmon shared an opening stand of 72 off 14 overs before Rowe was run out by Hamish Evans for 22.

Salmon followed eight runs later, trapped leg before wicket by Craig Christophers for 32.

“We both should have stayed in and made more runs,” Rowe said.

“But we also didn’t do ourselves any favours conceding 33 extras. We have to keep them to a minimum tomorrow.

First drop Bruce Kerr (33) and Tallott (32) also made starts but failed to kick on.

OBR club captain Ian Loffler has been one of the most consistent players with bat and ball this season. He was the chief wicket-taker, with figures of 3-26 off eight tidy overs.

Graham Hudson, one of several match-winners in both teams, finished with 0-27 off eight overs as HSOB were dismissed for 199.

“HSOB are a good all-round team,” Loffler said.

“Batting and bowling, they have key players we will target.”

Chasing five runs an over to win, Christophers and Kieran Venema gave their side a great start with 38 runs from five overs before Venema (13 runs off 15 balls) was bowled by Inder Singh.

Christophers (28 off 26) was caught by Brett Armour off Singh with the score at 47. Rowe then had the dangerous Timoti Weir out lbw as OBR went from 38-0 to 51-3.

Hudson (32 off 48) and Hamish Evans (37 off 46) rebuilt the innings with a 49-run stand.

After Loffler (29) and captain Jonathan Purcell departed, Nick Greeks (21 not out) and Arun Kurup guided their team to victory.

“It’s been great that we’ve been able to welcome guys like Nick Greeks and Carl Carmody back into our team,” Loffler said.

“Graham Hudson and Jimmy Holden will be key men to apply pressure with the new ball, and we have a batting line-up that is more than capable.”

OBR: Craig Christophers, Kieran Venema, Timoti Weir, Graham Hudson, Carl Carmody, Ian Loffler, Hamish Evans, Nick Greeks, Jonathan Purcell (captain), Arun Kurup, Jimmy Holden and Matthew Cook.

HSOB: Carl Shaw, David Salmon, Bruce Kerr, Robbie Tallott, Scott Tallott (co-captain), Glen Udall, Ajay Kumar, Jak Rowe (co-captain), Parminder Singh, Marshall Norris and Inder Singh.