“It's exactly what we have been working away from all season.
“Everyone, me included, should have done a lot better . . . not batting the full 50 overs will always put you on the back foot.”
One of the game's highlights was a catch by Nick Armour that would have made the highlight reels around the world if it had been caught on camera.
Three overs into the Horouta innings Harmanpreet Gill looked to chip one over the inside fielders and over Armour. He tracked the ball while running backwards, leapt up and snagged a one-handed catch that led to the biggest celebration at Harry Barker Reserve in recent memory.
It was a play Shaw called “the best catch I've ever seen in cricket”.
Stand-in Horouta captain Shubham Ralhan said he believed their team had improved coming into the new year, but more refinement was needed.
“The performance from the team was good; straight after the holiday season, we were pumped.
“A positive side was the improvement in fielding. We took five catches and had one run-out.”
With the team missing regular captain David Situ, Ralhan said he had to improvise to keep HSOB on their toes.
“At the start, I was following what was given to me. However, I realised a lot of changes were needed with the bowling.
“I gave short spells to my bowlers and initiated quick changeovers so the batsmen didn't pick the techniques of the bowlers and get habitual.”
He said the core issue had been a collapse in the batting — something they would continue to address.
Horouta had again used an “experimental line order” which they would continue to fine-tune, Ralhan said.
“Our batsmen are good, we just need a better plan execution for them.
“We were happy with the total, but definitely missed David's spot in line, especially with him being the key batsman of the team.
“As for High School Old Boys' performance, they won the title last season and are a great team, but I am hoping that with the uplift in the team, going forward we might see some cups on our side.”
