Positives during HSOB's weekend away despite the rain

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

High School Old Boys made the most of their pre-season trip to Hawke’s Bay.

They won their first game, against Waitakere premiers, by 42 runs in the Kilbirnie Sports T20 competition on a superb grass wicket on Nelson Park in Napier.

While they lost their second game  — and as it turned out the last of their three remaining scheduled matches due to rain — on Duckworth-Lewis calculation, HSOB captain Dave Castle and his crew took positives from their weekend away.

“We had an exciting experience in Hawke’s Bay,” he said. “We performed strongly first-up in what was a highlight for the group, all of who were excited for cricket.

“To play well and beat an Auckland premier side convincingly gave us great confidence in our skills.

“A tough bowling innings on Day 2 against Eden Roskill (Auckland) had us chasing 190 to win, but it provided great learnings in a tournament we didn’t set result targets for.

“There was some great hitting from our batsmen against strong bowling line-ups across the tournament, and we executed our bowling skills.

“Every game is a chance to grow our skills and get better, and the off-field experience of a tour is a unique way for the HSOB premier side to kick off the season.”

Castle won the toss against Waitakere and opted to bat.

The blue and whites posted 148-6, and the skipper, opening the batting, retired for 50 off 34 balls.

First-drop Pushpinder Kumar made 32 off 34 and left-hander Carl Shaw got to 23 off 13 as the fifth man to bat before he became the second of four batsmen to be run out.

The Gisborne side were then 144-4.

Young outswing bowler Taye McGuinness, bowling third change, took three wickets for 18 runs from four overs.

Off-spinner Tom Spencer snared 2-16 off four on debut for HSOB, and he and Castle each ran out two batsmen.

Waitakere reached 106-9.

The following morning, Eden Roskill Cricket Club won the toss against HSOB and chose to bat on another belter at Nelson Park.

Eden Roskill amassed 189-6, with HSOB’s game-day captain Shaw taking 3-28 at fourth change and opening bowler Steve Lamb claiming 2-28.

Shaw bowled Dev Ratra (73) and trapped No.3 Devan Gambhir (26) leg before wicket.

Ratra’s opening partner Damien van den Berg (20) and second drop Neil Patel also made runs for Eden Roskill.

HSOB were 88-5 when the rain came after 14 overs.

Shaw, fourth man in, was on 31 off 26 balls and No.7 Tom Spencer was on 15 when the players left the field.

With Castle to bat next, the game was still winnable for the Gisborne club.

Unfortunately, the Duckworth-Lewis arithmetic found HSOB wanting.

Games against Napier-Tech that afternoon and Ellerslie of Auckland on Cornwall Park the next day were cancelled.

A consistent performer for Campion College’s  first 11 in Poverty Bay Cricket’s Senior B Grade, McGuinness thrived in the company of his more experienced teammates.

“I’m fizzing to get into the season,” said the 15-year-old all-rounder, who played in two tourneys during the Term 3 school holidays.

“I enjoyed how quickly the group came together on and off the field.

“Dave and Carl did a great job of guiding us.”