HSOB primed, ready to get on the grass

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

CRICKET

Get off the grass is an expression of disbelief.

But in a cricketing sense, the Isaac Hughes-led High School Old Boys Presidents are only too happy to be back on a quality turf wicket in Hope Cup cricket at Harry Barker Reserve tomorrow.

Bollywood HSOB Presidents face Rawhiti Legal OBR, who beat them by eight wickets on an artificial pitch at Nelson Park last month.

OBR captain Craig Christophers carried his bat for 65 off 75 balls and opening partner Phil Viljoen made 33 as the victors took 24.1 overs to run down the Presidents’ 140.

“We’re geared up for this game,” Christophers said. “HSOB were our first opponents of the year and gave a few of our lads their first taste of cricket. These boys have shown massive improvement so far this season and I’m sure that’ll continue.”

OBR will be without their joint Most Valuable Player winners from last weekend. Rongomai Smith and Lloyd van Zyl have work commitments.

That opens the door to new players.

Isaac Hughes’ Presidents side features veteran medium-pacer Mike Francis, who took 4 for 11 off six overs in the season-opener against Campion College.

They were in good touch with the bat last weekend in their second meeting with Campion. Glen Udall made 40, wicketkeeper Ollie Needham 38 not out and Simon Blaker 36no.

Those scores underline their batting depth but they are well aware of important their bowling will be tomorrow.

“Craig and Ian Loffler are two of the top run-scorers in the Hope Cup. We’ve got to get them early,” Hughes said. “We also need to show application with the bat ourselves in another real team performance.”

Campion are without all-rounder Blake Marshall and leg-spinner Liam Barbier but are still aiming go give Civil Project Solutions Ngatapa Green Caps a stir.

Campion player-coach Mark Naden says other players are ready to step up and his team can’t wait to do battle.

Ngatapa will be without big left-arm seamer Will Faulks, who also batted well last week for 36 not out, but Angus Orsler of St. Paul’s Collegiate is in their line-up.

The Ngatapa seamers will no doubt be told ty player co-ordinator Chris Hurlstone that they must pitch the ball up to Max Briant, who hit five boundaries against HSOB last Saturday and played in much the same aggressive vein against Horouta on Harry Barker No.1 pitch two weeks ago.

He hit a six on to the hockey turf then and may eye the same target again tomorrow.

Briant, Marshall and captain Liam Spring need to continue their good form as they could be key members of Poverty Bay’s senior secondary schools side at the Northern Districts tournament here from December 9 to 13.

“We have a strong association with Campion, who are well-led by Nades (Mark Naden) and we always look forward to playing them,” said Hurlstone. “They’re a good bunch.”

The Gisborne Boys’ High School Colts game v Coastal Ultrasound Horouta in Round 8 has been deferred because of player unavailability.