Partnership key to Ws’ victory

Cricket - Left-to-right, third-row) Cameron Walters (Ws captain), Mana Wainohu, Angus Thomas, Jared Pearse, Auric Pocock, Robbie Newlands, Maui Katene, Aiziah Craft-Chemis, Charlie Castles (Ts captain), Mr Glen Udall (Gisborne Intermediate School principal), Charlie Holdsworth. (Left-to-right, second-row) Mehaka Pohatu-Chaffey, Archie Gillies, Conrad Parkes, Jack Williams, Alex Langford, Taylor Kijowski. (Seated) Archer Allen, Finn Robertson.

Faith sustained the Ws in their five-run win against the Ts yesterday.

The Ws beat the Ts to end the cricket season at Gisborne Intermediate School and claim the TW Challenge Bat.

They did it on the back of a 44-run partnership between all-rounder Archer Allen and Mana Wainohu, superb bowling from medium-pacer Angus Thomas, and fielding that produced three of the five dismissals by run-out.

Allen scored 29 not out in 88 minutes from No.6 and Wainohu, eight in 58 minutes from No.9.

With conditions perfect, Ts captain and wicketkeeper Charlie Castles won the toss and opted to bowl first in the 30-over, nine-a-side fixture on the school’s boutique ground.

The Ws were dismissed for 88 in 24.5 overs. The eighth-wicket stand between Allen and Wainohu was the biggest partnership in the match, as their side recovered from 44-7 in 13.2 overs.

Ts pacemen Finn Robertson (2-4 in five overs) and Auric Pocock (1-10 in four overs) made excellent use of the new ball.

Jack Williams, who — like Robertson — bowled out, took 2-14.

A total of 88 is modest, but genuine strike bowlers like Allen and tide-turner Thomas were backed up by a fielding unit capable of hitting the stumps while off-balance or even on their knees.

Castles played a high-quality knock in the Ts’ run chase. He hit some classy off-side shots and was technically very correct at No.3 for 81 minutes.

Allen, Castles and Ts opening batsman Jack Williams (13) were the only batsmen to make double figures in a low-scoring thriller.

Thomas (3-12 off three overs) took three wickets for two runs in his third over, the 21st of the Ts’ innings, while Alex Langford (1-21 from 4.5 overs) played a part in two run-outs.

Outgoing Gisborne Intermediate principal Glen Udall, patron of the Ts in this Term 1 and 4 clash, said: “This encounter highlighted impressive line-and-length bowling, and sharp fielding, while the totals reflected the tightness of the bowling and accuracy of throwing.”

Castles congratulated Ws skipper Cameron Walters on the victory, and spoke of a close game.

“Our team bowled and fielded well to restrict their score and it’s great to see boys who hadn’t played cricket before giving it a go,” Castles said.

“I love playing cricket at Gis Int because you play with and against your mates in the TW Challenge.

“Thanks to Mr Udall and Mr (Bryan) Notting (art teacher, patron of the Ws) for starting this tradition and supporting our cricket.”

Walters said: “We’d like to thank Mr Udall for organising this game in his last week at school, and Charlie’s team for the tough fight.

“I’m really proud of the whole team, but especially Angus. With runs being hard to come by for both teams, he changed the game for us in his second spell.

“That game was a lot of fun to play in; much better than being in class.”

Ws 88-8 (Archer Allen 29 not out; Finn Robertson 2-4, Jack Williams 2-14) beat Ts 83-5 (Charlie Castles 21; Angus Thomas 3-12).