Time running out for premier cricket teams to make impact

Team undefeated: High School Old Boys' Jak Rowe bowls down the barrel against OBR. HSOB have won all their games, which gives them some security about making the final. They would play the winners of tomorrow's game between the second- and third-placed teams. Picture by Paul Rickard

Premier cricket teams have an ever-shortening runway to extend their season, with just two weeks of regular-season cricket remaining this summer.

A changed DJ Barry Cup competition format means the second- and third-placed teams play off in a semifinal to decide who will play the regular-season winners the following weekend.

With a perfect four-win record, Bollywood Stars High School Old Boys have all but secured their spot in the final, to be played on March 26.

They can only be unseated by Coastal Concrete OBR, who with a 2-2 record need results to go their way while they also fend off Galaxy World Gisborne Boys' High School and Horouta.

Boys' High have an uphill battle tomorrow as they take on the in-form HSOB. Despite a win last weekend, they will come into the game as heavy underdogs facing a team who have looked almost unbreakable this season.

The HSOB bowlers have experienced problems getting breakthrough wickets. But, with a batting line-up almost identical to that of the Poverty Bay representative side, with the likes of Scott Tallott, Baxter Mackay and captain Carl Shaw spearheading the line-up, it hasn't been an issue to date.

With a full-strength team this weekend, HSOB are eager to continue building momentum into the final, Shaw says.

“We need to continue to bowl tight and take our catches.

“GBHS have lots of kids who have a lot of talent that can have big impacts, and they have been improving throughout the season, batting and bowling, and we won't be taking them lightly at all.”

He said he felt as if they were well positioned to be successful this weekend, having had competition for spots in the playing 11 this week.

GBHS captain Nathan Trowell said they would look to build on the consistency that helped them beat Horouta last weekend.

“Same as last week's performance really, we need to bowl and field well, and batting 50 overs is crucial.

“This is a big game for us.”

Horouta have been battered and bruised this season but have always come with a determined attitude and cannot be taken lightly.

They'll be hoping they can repeat the form they showed in their upset victory over OBR six weeks ago. They come into the game with the added incentive of its being the business end of the season.

With several of their players, such as Teghbir Singh and Bruno Judd, finding their stride with both the bat and ball, they will be confident in their abilities and need to focus on their execution.

Horouta captain David Situ said it was a “must-win” game in their campaign for making the semifinals.

“We need to tighten up our fielding and also be more solid with the bat.

“We should be at full strength tomorrow, which will help.”

OBR captain Nick Greeks said they would be looking to improve on their performance from last weekend and bat their overs.

“We need someone in the top five to make a big score and build an innings over time for others to bat around.”

OBR have a team of dangerous batsmen, such as Josh Adams and Ian Loffler, who have a proven track record of game-winning performances with the bat.

“It will be a good game, and I know the boys are looking forward to it!”