T for victory in inter-syndicate trophy clash

It’s about a shared passion.

The TW Challenge Trophy, named after Gisborne Intermediate School’s T (Taruheru, Turanganui) and W (Waipaoa, Waimata) syndicates, is held in term one as a trial for the boys’ first 11 and in term four as a last hurrah for Year 8s to signal a changing of the guard.

The Ts beat the Ws by 96 runs to wrap up the 2017 series.

Ts captain Logan Orsler won the toss, chose to bat and his team posted 176-5 in 35 overs.

In-form opener Nathan Trowell topscored with 67 not out while Ws captain Cohen Loffler took three wickets for 26 runs in seven overs of good medium pace.

Loffler also led his team’s run scorers with 16 as the Ws were bowled out for 80.

Trowell took 3-7 off 5.5 overs and Ts spearhead Sebastian Wilson claimed 2-24 off seven.

Y7 debutant Amijot Singh (1 not out) was the Ws’ last man standing.

“The standard of cricket was excellent and we pride ourselves on giving these kids two opportunities a year to play at an elite level,” said Gisborne Intermediate principal and boys’ first 11 coach Glen Udall.

Udall (Ts) and art teacher Bryan Notting (Ws) — HSOB stalwarts and former Poverty Bay senior men’s representatives — instituted the TWC in 2010 to allow keen players the opportunityof a longer form of the game (35 overs) than Y7-8s get to play outside of rep tournaments.

The TWC was first won by the Ts in 2010. However, the Ws, under Notting, have won nine games to the Ts’ six, with one tie in 2015.

“We wanted the banter and competition between the syndicates,” said Notting, who created the TWC trophy bat, which features caricature heads of the coaches and a list of those who have scored a half-century or taken four wickets or more.

“The bat’s a mobile honours board,” said Notting “You hear kids talk about the TWC enthusiastically around the school. They’re excited about the chance to play on a boutique ground in front of everyone, the place decked out with syndicate banners in a festive atmosphere.”

Names on the trophy for scoring half-centuries include Ts captain Robbie Tallott (112 in 2011), Ws captains Thorn Parkes (126 in 2012, 128 early in 2013 and 200no later that year) and Matt McNeil (54no in 2014, 87 in 2015).

Bowlers to have made the bat include Ts team member, Bradley Clark (5-4 in in 2012) and Ws’ Ben McNeil (5-25 in 2013).