HSOB skipper Dave Castle has led his side to a third consecutive Doleman Cup win. Picture by Paul Rickard
It’s one trophy down and two to go in the quest for Premier Grade glory this cricket season.
Bollywood High School Old Boys beat Coastal Concrete Old Boys Rugby by five wickets on Saturday to retain the Doleman Cup.
Starting on October 28, although rounds 4 and 5 were lost to wet weather, HSOB won all six of the 40-over Doleman Cup games possible.
This summer they have lost only once — to Breakers Horouta Te Waka, by six runs, in Round 2 of the T15 Walker Shield at Harry Barker Reserve on November 30.
With the scores level in the weekend’s showpiece on the rep wicket, big left-hander Carl Shaw pulled the first ball of the 30th over — a full-toss from off-spinner Daniel Stewart — on to the No.4 pitch-block for six to bring up the win.
HSOB skipper Dave Castle said his side had a dream run in the Doleman Cup.
“We had some brilliant individual and team performances, backing each other, and it was a privilege to lead such a fine group,” he said.
“It was great to have the chance at a Doleman Cup three-peat against quality opposition. Credit to Nick Greeks and OBR — we always have to be at our best to beat them. Our bowling was really on-song and despite a couple of tough chances going down early, we fought hard and stayed in the contest. It was great to see contributions across a bowling unit that gelled, although it wasn’t overall our best day in the field.”
Greeks won the toss and took first knock on a firm wicket. OBR posted 161-7 under the keen eye of Poverty Bay umpires director Jason Trowill and Northern Districts development panel mentor Bryan Keightley.
First drop Nathan Trowell led the OBR run-scorers with a stylish 32.
Each of left-handed opener Sean Henry, all-rounder Dane Thompson (at No.5) and wicketkeeper Kieran Venema (at No.7 and not out) made 22.
For HSOB, Steve Lamb (2-20) and off-spinner Castle (2-22) both produced a maiden in an eight-over stint. Lamb used the new ball to good effect.
Castle had both second drop Paul Stewart (1) and Thompson — OBR’s two best batsmen with 51 and 69 respectively in the 143-run semifinal win against Te Waka — out leg before wicket to the armball.
Castle said that Thompson looked “unreal” with the bat.
He played two great cover drives against the spin, and at one stage came down the track to hit tall medium-pacer Carl Shaw (1-35 from eight overs) for six over long-off.
No.6 Cohen Loffler (8) fell to a leaping catch by Scott Tallott at cover, off medium-pacer Anthony Boyder (1-11 from four overs). OBR lost their fifth wicket to end the 28th over on that dismissal.
Greeks is still nursing an injury to his left ankle but reached 18no with a boundary off Shaw, from the last ball of the 40th over. Greeks and gloveman Venema had an unbeaten 39-run partnership; Trowell and Thompson shared a fourth-wicket stand of 49. OBR’s 161 had been hard-earned but for them victory would rest on their ability to defend that total by taking wickets early and fielding like demons.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Greeks bowled out, with a maiden, and took 3-39 – Pushpinder (AJ) Kumar (29), his opening partner Baxter Mackay (41) and No.5 Castle (6).
Kumar fell to a stumping off a sweep-shot attempt, Mackay was out lbw and Castle was bowled. Both Mackay, who was in top form with the bat (one six, seven fours), and Castle were out to similar deliveries, angled in from around the wicket.
HSOB stalwart Glen Udall (8), who came in at six, shared a 28-run stand with Shaw (31).
Greeks said: “We were 40 short of a good score, and Baxter took off out of the gate and punished anything too full or too short. By comparison – while I didn’t face Steve (Lamb) or Dave (Castle) in our innings – Dave bowled a good line and Steve got a little bit of movement off the deck early on.
“For us, it was a frustrating day.”
BOLLYWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS 167-5 (Baxter Mackay 41, Carl Shaw 31no, Pushpinder Kumar 29; Nick Greeks 3-39) beat COASTAL CONCRETE OLD BOYS RUGBY 161-7 (Nathan Trowell 32, Kieran Venema 22no, Sean Henry 22, Dane Thompson 22; Steve Lamb 2-20, Dave Castle 2-22).