OBR keen to get points on board

OFF THE TOES: Craig Christophers, seen here playing for Poverty Bay against Northern Districts Maori last weekend, will be a key man for OBR in tomorrow’s Doleman Cup game against Gisborne Boys’ High School. Picture by Paul Rickard

GISBORNE Boys’ High School will face a fired-up OBR side in Doleman Cup cricket tomorrow, after the reigning champions lost their opening game two weeks ago.

“The loss to Pirates was a disappointing start to the season,” said Bain Construction OBR club captain and middle-order batsman Ian Loffler, who top-scored with 34 as OBR were rolled for 112.

Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates reached their target in 25.3 overs of the 40-over game, with six wickets in hand.

“We haven’t lost the first game of the season for a long time,” Loffler said.

“After our successes last year (Walker Shield, Doleman Cup and DJ Barry Cup wins), we are probably in a rebuilding phase.

“We’ve lost Matt Henwood and Josh Adams.

“Hamish Evans is still unavailable and Timoti Weir is away for a couple of weeks.

“We’ve included Mana Taumaunu, Tim Hofman, Henry Eivers and Aubrey Yates in our squad and we’re hoping Carl Carmody will be playing soon.”

Although Boys’ High lost to early competition leaders Bollywood Stars High School Old Boys last week, Loffler said the students looked to have a settled squad.

“It’s going to be tough tomorrow,” he said.

“We’ll be looking for Craig (Christophers) and Kieran (Venema) to build a platform when we bat.

“Cookie (Matt Cook) and Jimmy Holden will lead our bowling and Arun Kurup is starting to show real promise as an all-rounder.”

Boys’ High player-coach Josiah Turner’s side lost early wickets against HSOB, with only Ben McNeil (36) and Jack Faulkner (29) showing any resistance in their eight-wicket loss.

Turner was out for 12 but showed his class when scoring an unbeaten 37 and taking three wickets for five runs for Poverty Bay in their win in the 35-over game against Northern Districts Maori last weekend.

Pirates, while happy to start the season with a win against OBR, face a tougher challenge when they play HSOB.

HSOB opener Carl Shaw and first drop Bruce Kerr put on 70 runs in a second-wicket stand that laid the platform for their victory over GBHS.

Kerr finished unbeaten on 77 off 63 deliveries in a man-of-the-match performance.

On paper, HSOB have arguably the strongest team in the competition, but co-captain Scott Tallott said “paper teams” didn’t win championships.

“We had a strong paper team last year but OBM cleaned up the cups,” he said.

“We’re particularly strong in the batting, with a top six who are capable of getting big scores.

“We’re hoping Jak (Rowe co-captain and opening bowler) will soon be fully recovered from a shoulder injury, which will strengthen the bowling attack.

“We’re looking forward to the game.

“Pirates look to be stronger than last year. Sam Patterson is a year older and when he played for Poverty Bay against Northern Districts Maori last week, he bowled the best I’ve seen him bowl.

“They also have Dane Thompson (Pirates skipper and all-rounder) and they’ve got a good signing in Matt Crampton, who is a reliable spinner. His dot balls are going to keep the run-rate down and that adds pressure, which gets him wickets.

“He bowls flat so it’s going to be interesting to see how we go against him.”