Although Campion lost to Rawhiti Legal Old Boys Rugby by 75 runs last Saturday, Max Briant stepped up for the college with 3-36 off six overs, 24 runs from 12 balls and a run-out. That their senior players are now capable of picking up slack is heartening.
Horouta captain Heyan Ranasinghe, like Udall of HSOB a Hope Cup century-maker this season, is still in Sri Lanka for family reasons. The big man will be much-missed. He is a good batsman who punishes the bad ball but Campion have come far enough along with their bowling since Udall’s ton in Round 1 to suggest that if they bowl well, a first win for the Mark Naden-coached school team is not out of the question.
“We love playing Horouta,” said Naden.
“It’s always fun and competitive — and they also hold the Taylor/Naden Trophy, which we wouldn’t mind winning for the first time.”
Greg Taylor was the chief organiser and driving force behind the Horouta Cricket Club for more than a decade, and Mark Naden’s father Pat is a former president of both Poverty Bay Cricket and Poverty Bay Rugby.
There’s no substitute for experience . . . or getting away from Craig Christophers and Ian Loffler.
Affectionately known as Pipi and Lap-lap, the OBR stalwarts have opted to play in the Hope Cup this season, giving the likes of ex-GBHS first 11 captain Paul Stewart and Boys’ High teammates Travis Mitchell and Jack Faulkner an opportunity in OBR’s Doleman Cup side.
Christophers thwarted HSOBP with the bat on an artificial pitch at Nelson Park three weeks ago and Loffler (3-9-5 with three maiden overs) proved very difficult for Campion to score from. GBHS under Daniel Stewart cannot afford to let either Loffler or Christophers settle with the ball — and they would underestimate Matt McFatter, Ben Brick and Mana Taumanu at their peril.
The Colts will be without their best-performed batsman of R5, Daniel Watts, tomorrow. A score of consequence from either of their two Year 11 players would be handy.