Cricket: HBHS, Wanganui unbeaten

NBHS fielder Sean Monaghan (left) celebrates a catch with teammate Campbell Tait against Wanganui Collegiate at the festival of cricket in Napier yesterday. Photo / Duncan Brown

Hastings Boys' High School and Wanganui Collegiate are undefeated and their paths will not cross this week during the 25th year 9-10 cricket festival in Napier.

But that doesn't mean the Napier Boys' High School-hosted 25th four-day event played at the school grounds will leave fans numb with boredom.

NBHS lost their first game to Wanganui yesterday, succumbing by 119 runs.

Coach Peter Smith said it was one of the best sessions he had seen in his coaching career but the pressure of the scoreboard became too much for NBHS in the 50-over affairs. "A couple of run outs and Wanganui Collegiate had the upper hand," Smith said.

NBHS play St Pat's Silverstream today and New Plymouth Boys' High tomorrow.

Napier are capable of batting down the order but Wanganui ran well between the wickets and fielded tightly. HBHS are carrying "The Bat" from last year after going through undefeated but Wanganui, who play Havelock North High today and Lindisfarne College tomorrow, could give them a run for their money.

Francis Douglas Memorial College (Taranaki) and Palmerston North Boys' High are their next opponents.

Day one on Monday yielded a hattrick as well as a five and a six-wicket bag.

NBHS opener Daniel Sharplin scored a single off the last ball for his maiden century in their 133-run win over Francis Douglas.

Wanganui's Ben Kelt scored 118 against St Johns College and Angus Dinnwiddie (Wanganui) got 5-16 off his eight overs. HBHS offspinner Liam Smith claimed 6-31 off his 7.3 overs against New Plymouth Boys' High in their 29-run victory. However, Silverstream allrounder Harrison Boyle stole the thunder with an unbeaten 102 against Lindisfarne before claiming 4-17 off his eight overs, including a hattrick, in the 110-run win (results on right).

Mathew Sinclair, Ihaia West, Ross Taylor, Pete McGlashan jnr, Kane Williamson, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Jamie Howe and Matt Berquist all cut their teeth in the festival, according to NBHS headmaster Ross Brown.