That bowling was key to OBR's success. Six HSOB batsmen were clean bowled.
On a pitch that had seen a lot of rain over the previous 48 hours, the bowlers were getting good purchase, and the ball continued to swing late into the OBR innings. Considering how damp it was underfoot, the surface held together well, although the footmarks were enlarged.
Being a low-scoring affair, the match was an arm-wrestle where the advantage went back and forth.
The teams had to battle for every run: only 12 boundaries were scored in the match.
OBR started slowly but regrouped around captain Ian Loffler's 30 runs off 78 deliveries to post a defendable total. At one point they were 35-5, so it was a valiant fightback.
When HSOB batted, Andrews bowled fast and straight, and put control firmly back into OBR hands within his first spell.
After they lost Glen Udall, HSOB were five wickets down for six runs, and the writing was on the wall. The HSOB tail has not wagged much this season, and it proved all but impossible to retrieve the game from there.
HSOB captain Scott Tallott said they felt in control of the game before the two “bloody good overs” from Andrews.
“I was sitting in the sheds taking my pads off and all of a sudden I've got the whole middle order sitting in there with me,” he said.
“It was something I'd never experienced before.
“It took the best part of 10 minutes to completely derail our bid for a spot in the finals.”
He said consistency had been elusive this season, which was sometimes “the nature of cricket”.
“We are a club who believe winning is a by-product of a positive and enjoyable team culture. Although the results weren't there for us, we still maintained those standards we set. We look forward to coming back next season and making it ours.”
Loffler said he thought 130 was a really competitive score on the pitch, with 150 being above par.
“Battting 40 overs was the key and we did that. My partnerships with Josh Blair (for 30) and Jonathan Purcell (for 17) were important in the context of the game.”
He said the spell by Andrews was exceptional and the best fast bowling he had seen at club cricket level.
“He was ruthless and lightning quick. No one could survive against him on Saturday.
“It's been a close-fought competition and the boys are looking forward to one last hurdle.”
A complete team performance has given Gisborne Boys' High School their third final this season.
They chased down Horouta in the other semifinal of the DJ Barry Cup.
Horouta couldn't reproduce the magic that enabled them to chase down 220 against Galaxy World GBHS last weekend. This time they slumped to 117 all out in the 36th over.
Opener Parminder Kulaar (26 runs) and No.4 Keegan Martin (28) were the only Horouta players to score in double figures on a day for the bowlers.
Horouta had some early success in the GBHS innings, with Martin taking Graham Sharp's wicket in the ninth over.
Sharp has been in scintillating form, and to get him out early for only 19 runs gave Horouta a sniff of hope.
That didn't last long, though, as GBHS charged ahead.
Captain Nathan Trowell (24) and Josiah Turner (32) provided handy contributions.
Trowell was out after tying the scores. His total, along with the contributions of Sharp and Turner, ensured Boys' High would overhaul the small Horouta total.
GBHS stormed home to win by four wickets and earn their spot in the final.
Coach Mal Trowell said the players were proud of their performance in keeping Horouta to under 120 runs, which was “awesome”.
“Horouta have put in some solid performances against us in this competition, and today was no different.”
Although the scorecard looked one-sided, Horouta made GBHS work for the win, he said.
“With the bat, we kept ahead of the required rate. Horouta put the ball in good areas, too, which is reflected in Nathan's innings, where he had a strike rate of 34.
“We got to our goal of playing the last game of the season, so I'm proud of the effort and commitment from all the squad.”
