Improved batting mindset pays off

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

Victory by one wicket with three balls left — that was the result when Gisborne Boys’ High School cricketer Travis O’Rourke hit a lofted off-drive for four against Campion College in the opening round of C Grade Twenty20 games at Nelson Park on Wednesday.

“We batted well,” Boys’ High captain Daniel Stewart said.

“Our mindset there has improved. When we needed to up the run-rate, we looked for gaps and ran hard between wickets.”

Campion captain Max Briant won the toss and elected to bat, Campion making 127-7 in their 20 overs.

Briant made 25 (retired) from No.1, his cousin Sam Briant (No.8) struck five boundaries in his hard-hit 23 (retired) and left-hander Nathan Andrews scored 21 coming in at five.

Seamer Patrick Brownlie (2-13 off five overs) was the pick of the Gisborne Boys’ High School bowlers.

Max Briant said: “Sam played really well for us and the good thing is we know he can bat even better than that.”

For Boys’ High, No.6 batsman Daniel Watts was superb for 32 (retired), his captain No.5 Stewart having set the tone with urgent running between wickets for 25 (retired).

Nathan Trowell, batting at No.7, made 18 not out off 18 balls and O’Rourke — with 23 off 14 balls — played with composure to close the match out in trying conditions.

Talented leg-spinner Liam Barbier (1-4 off two overs) bowled a wicket-maiden to remove the dangerous Amani Karauria-Lunt first-up and the 6ft 4in Max Briant (2-16 off three overs) bowled two different lengths to account for Boys’ High No.2 DJ Penfold — who hit the only six of the game — and No.4 Luke Fisher. Penfold was caught by Luke Hurlstone at midwicket off a rising delivery and Fisher got a cracking yorker first ball.

A great knock by left-handed opener Te-Reimana GrayIn the other game, the Primary Boys beat Gisborne Girls’ High School by 73 runs with Primary co-captains Sebastian Wilson and Angus Baker acknowledging a great knock by left-handed opener Te-Reimana Gray.

“Te-Reimana was the best of the batsmen: off 18 balls, he hit 22 runs, including a six,” said wicketkeeper-batsman Baker, who effected two run-outs courtesy of Wilson and Henry Watson.

Gray’s opening partner Jarrod Ormiston, 11 (retired) from 16 balls, and second-drop Gareth Langford, 17 (retired) off 12, with three boundaries, were both good value.

Baker praised leg-spinner Dylan Foster (1-3 off two overs) and medium-pacer Angus Henry (1-15 off two) for their efforts with the ball.

Baker hit six fours off 13 balls in 11 minutes himself at No.6, for 24 (retired).

Promising seamers Maddie Ashworth (3-10 off two overs) and Paige Bentley (2-22 off four) were the pick of the Girls’ High bowlers.

Girls’ High wicketkeeper Rubi Perano took four catches. Perano also plays football at Federation age-group level and excels at badminton, in which sport she received an award for the junior player showing the qualities of sportsmanship, effort, attitude and co-operation.

Girls’ High were dismissed for 71 in 12.1 overs — Tayla Hollis (11 off 20 balls), her opening partner captain Kayley Knight (9) and No.6 Alyssah Swann (9) were the leading run-scorers.

Swann was the last out, caught by Bekko Page off the first ball of leg-spinner Alex Shanks’s first over.

“Bad balls, extras and run-outs cost us the game,” Girls’ High coach Mel Knight said.

“On the plus-side — especially in the heat — our new-look team gained valuable experience.”