HSOB Pups win T15 nine-a-side final

BOLLYWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS PUPSBACK: Jarrod Ormiston, Rhys Grogan FRONT: Malsha Mahabalage, Muzammil Khan, Daniel Bailie, Hamish Swann (captain), John Broad, Taye McGuinness. Picture by Hayden Swann

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Their record says they’re all but unbeatable.

And the Bollywood High School Old Boys Pups — who last night beat the Tairawhiti Women’s Cricket Club Hortigro Colts by three wickets — head into tomorrow’s T30 final against the same opponents at full steam.

They won the nine-a-side T15 final yesterday on the “turf” representative wicket — their only loss in T15 or T30 this season was on November 27, in T15, to the Ngatapa Knights on an artificial pitch at Nelson Park.

TWCC captain Grace Levy won the toss in the T15 final and chose to bat. Pups spearhead Rhys Grogan’s three wickets for four runs off three overs ensured that HSOB would not have to chase a big score, the women having proved in their 27-run win against the Stars in Round 5 that they could make a significant total (146-6).

First-drop and wicketkeeper Amy Thomas (16 off 18 balls) was the TWCC Colts’ leading runscorer, with No.4 Levy and No.6 Rubi Perano both scoring 13.

The Mel Knight-coached TWCC made 90-9, the Pups then posting 124-5.

With five runs being awarded to the bowling/fielding side for dismissals in each opposition batsman’s “grace period” (first six balls faced), the contest continued for 12 balls after the Pups scored 91. Left-handed opener Jarrod Ormiston (26 from 18 balls) hit two sixes and three fours, while captain and first drop Hamish Swann hit four boundaries in his 18-ball innings of 22, retired.

The TWCC Colts’ best bowler was seamer Jessica Hayward, who took 2-11 off two overs.

“TWCC are a good side with a great attitude: that showed in the field — and when they batted, with their taking of quick singles,” said Swann.

“Our team has learned a lot through the season. Everyone contributed to get us to the T15 final and that win was a real group effort.”

T15 umpire and Poverty Bay selector Ryan Majstrovic was impressed by what he saw.

“It was a challenge for the boys to play Northern Districts age-group representatives in Grace Kuil, Rubi Perano and Grace Levy, with good young talent such as Savannah McGhee coming through too,” he said.

“The interesting format means that if players have the right attitude, they’re always in the game; with scenarios playing out, it’s a bit like a mini test match.

“It can provide a great education in the game.”