Ilminster play with spirit in third Cup win

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

CRICKET

They deserved to win.

The Ilminster Intermediate first 11 cricket team outplayed Gisborne Intermediate School in only their third win against Gisborne in the National Primary School Cup since its inception in 1999.

Co-captains Alex Shanks and George Gillies led the Nan Baker-coached side to victory by six wickets in the nine-a-side fixture at home, chasing down Gisborne Intermediate’s 83 in 12.4 overs. Second-drop Gillies (21 not out) hit the fourth ball of Dylan O’Rourke’s third over mid-on for six to win the game.

“We fielded well. We were committed to saving every run,” said Gillies. “Nathaniel Fearnley played some great shots. We’ve loved cricket this season.”

Opener Fearnley’s unbeaten 32 was characterised by superb timing and touch, with Gisborne Intermediate first-change seamer John Broad (1 for 11 off three overs) the only bowler to take a wicket in the second innings.

Earlier the visitors’ captain, Jarrod Ormiston, had won the toss and elected to bat. His team was bowled out for 83 in 14.3 overs.

Opener Kelan Bryant looked set to make a big score until he fell for 18 off 13 balls, and Bekko Page top-scored with 24 from No.3 — but Ilminster surprise package Jacob Brown ended the first innings with two wickets, both LBWs, in three balls.

Brown also featured in the fielding “play of the game”.

He chased the ball to the fine leg boundary, dived, made the save for Gillies to fire a perfect return to keeper Shanks over the stumps. Shanks then ran Malsha Mahabalage out by inches, with the score at 24.

Gisborne Intermediate principal and coach Glen Udall said: “Kelan and Bekko got starts with the bat but Ilminster outperformed us in all departments on the day. They deserved to win. Congratulations to Ilminster.”

Shanks said: “That win meant a lot to us. We just wanted to show Gisborne Intermediate and Campion that player numbers is one thing, but team spirit is just as important. We’d like to thank Nan Baker for her continued support of Ilminster since Gus (former captain Angus Baker) left last year.”