Cricket HSOB v OBR - Ian Loffler
A SENSATIONAL 168 runs off 94 balls from Tamarind High School Old Boys opener Sam Singh and an unbeaten 55 off 29 balls from Gary Singh booked their side a place in Doleman Cup cricket’s top-four playoffs with one round remaining.
With a bye next week, HSOB needed to beat defending champions Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates to stay in the hunt for the title, and they did so with a resounding 161-run win.
Sam Singh, who scored 100 off 64 balls, and Gagan Dhingra (18) laid the platform with an opening stand of 87 before Dhingra was trapped leg before wicket by Richie Needham.
Sam Singh, whose innings included four sixes and 19 fours, and Rowan Smith advanced the score to 201 before Smith was out lbw to Sam Patterson for 18.
Sam Singh followed 22 runs later and Ajay Kumar fell with the score at 240.
Sam Singh and Gary Singh, who came to the wicket in the 30th over and smashed nine fours and one six, took the game away from Pirates. HSOB reached 312-6.
To have any chance of retaining their title, Pirates must beat Gisborne Boys’ High School on Saturday.
“It was an absolute pleasure to watch Sam’s innings,” HSOB club captain Ryan Majstrovic said.
“He doesn’t come in and smash the ball. He’s got exceptional technique and timing.
“He’s a great guy to have in the team. He always prepares well and loves his cricket, as does Gary.
“It’s a pity we can’t get them jobs in Gisborne but we’re happy to have them travel in from Tauranga.”
Patterson was the pick of the Pirates attack, taking three wickets for 48 runs off five overs.
Sam Singh then made an early breakthrough when he bowled Andrew Ashton for nought.
Tilley and Reynolds a neat comboOlly Tilley and Brad Reynolds, Pirates captain in the absence of Mitchell Turner, combined for 59 runs before Reynolds was bowled by Hunter Jones for 38.
Quick wickets followed, with Sam Singh finishing with 3-27 and Kumar, 3-25, as Pirates were dismissed for 151.
Landmark Homes Bains Construction OBR booked their place in the semifinals when they beat Horouta by four wickets.
OBR won the toss and elected to bowl, and Horouta posted 183-6. Greg Taylor (19) and Horouta captain Bryan Forde (58) put on 37 for the first wicket. The partnership ended when Taylor was caught by Ian Loffler off Matt Cook’s bowling.
Keegan Martin (18) and Forde put on 51 runs for the second wicket and steady partnerships followed as Horouta got to 183-6 off their 35 overs.
Matt Henwood was the pick of the OBR bowlers, taking 3-43 off seven overs.
Horouta started well, dismissing Craig Christophers, Nick Greeks, Timoti Weir and Carl Carmody to have OBR on 49-4.
Henwood (34) and Loffler (75 not out) shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 80 to swing a close match OBR’s way.
Keegan Martin continued to impress, taking 2-29 off seven overs.
Horouta can still seal a playoff spot if they beat Campion on Saturday.
HSOB 312-6 (Sam Singh 168, Gary Singh 55 not out; Sam Patterson 3-48) def Pirates 151 (Brad Reynolds 38, Olly Tilley 32; Ajay Kumar 3-25, Sam Singh 3-27).
OBR 184-6 (Ian Loffler 75no, Matt Henwood 34; Keegan Martin 2-29, Marty Brandso 2-39) def HOROUTA 183-6 (Bryan Forde 58; Matt Henwood 3-43).