Naki boys too good for GBHS

FROM THE BACKYARD: Ben McNeil in action for Gisborne Boys’ High at the Super 8 secondary schools tournament yesterday. Pictures by Paul Rickard

A FIGHTING skipper’s knock was the sole highlight as Gisborne Boys’ High School suffered another heavy loss at the Super 8 secondary schools tournament here yesterday.

Captain Robbie Tallott scored 82 of GBHS’s 116-all out in a 50-over clash with New Plymouth Boys’ High at Harry Barker Reserve.

The visitors easily knocked off the runs, with Josh Borrell unbeaten on 101 in their nine-wicket victory.

It left the home team in the precarious position of needing to win today against Hastings BHS to have any chance of making the positional playoffs.

There are only seven teams competing in the Super 8 following the withdrawal of Rotorua BHS, meaning positions one to six will be decided by playoffs.

GBHS have lost both their games so far.

Coach Ben O’Brien-Leaf refused to use inexperience as an excuse for their struggles so far.

The boys all wanted to make runs and were trying their best but were lacking game sense, or as he put it, “good old-fashioned wherewithal”.

Tentative batting costs Gisborne dearlyNPBHS employed spin “of different kinds” and Gisborne’s batsmen were tentative, and it cost them.

“We just have to be a lot sharper and watch the game more,” said O’Brien-Leaf.

“To learn to read the game you have to watch the game more closely. They all want to make runs, they’re all doing their best but paying closer attention to the game would help.”

Tallott’s knock at first drop was one of pure determination, said O’Brien-Leaf.

“It was never free-flowing, just determined. Robbie’s a digger. He tries hard, he works hard.”

O’Brien-Leaf also paid tribute to Borrell.

“The kid who hit that hundred was awesome.”

O’Brien-Leaf said GBHS were hungry to reverse their fortunes.

“We need that fourth game to improve as a team. We can’t develop if we’re not playing.”

In other games yesterday, defending champions Hamilton BHS beat Napier BHS and Palmerston North BHS defeated Hastings.