"We have been dedicated at every training and we work for every other player," Year 12 pupil McLeod says as HBHS signal a changing of guards in Hawke's Bay as the No 1 schoolboy teams in First XI and Colts competitions.
The First XIs beat Havelock North High School, Napier Boys' High School and last year's Gillette Cup finalists, Lindisfarne College, to make the cut for the CD finals.
The Colts (year 9-10) beat St John's College, Lindisfarne, NBHS (2013 NZCT finalists), Rathkeale College (Wairarapa) and Francis Douglas Memorial College (New Plymouth) to reach the national finals.
McLeod lauded the HBS cricket Academy, established several years ago for their incremental success to next week's elite existence.
"Most of the boys in our teams were in the academy."
Neither he nor Ryder are under any illusions that it'll be a stroll in the park for higher honours but they aren't about to roll over to expose a soft underbelly.
Hosts Palmerston North Boys' High, Auckland Grammar and Otago Boys' High are likely to provide the stiffest challenges.
No doubt, the captains paid tribute to their coaches, Trent Miller (First XI) and Dan Harper (Colts XI), for not only honing their skills but also providing the necessary rapport to build a culture of success.
"Trent gets on really well with the boys," McLeod says.
Ryder says: "He's [Harper] a good guy and really helped all of our cricketers."
Needless to say, the captains have prospered because of a studious bunch of boys who are happy to go the extra yard.
It comes as no surprise to HBHS principal Rob Sturch the teams are excelling.
"... our cricketing success in the school has risen, so have our academic successes. I find the cricket players are fine young men and the intricacies of the game and dedication to play at a high level flow nicely into school life in many ways."
Sturch has never had so many teachers wanting to take a couple of days off on the same days to go down and support the team.
Over the past five seasons HBHS have progressed from "being just one of the teams in the school competition to setting the standard in HB".
A concerted effort in every facet of the code has yielded dividends. From the investment in a new clay wicket block two years ago to dedicated cricket grounds, a new bowling machine, excellent nets and recently, a new pavilion.
Miller, who also is head of cricket, established the academy with a long-term vision.
"This is attracting more and more boys who want to play cricket for the school," he says.
Five years ago the school had two serious cricket teams (1st XI and Colts teams) and this summer they have a 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, Colts and Junior A teams.
"It is not unusual for all six teams to have wins on the same day and all the teams are now very successful in their individual HB competitions," Miller says.
The 1st XI and Colts development teams also toured Queensland, Australia, last October as pre-season training for the 2013-14 season.
The tour party comprised 25 boys and parent helpers.
It was HBHS' third trip to Australia in the past five years. The First XI were unbeaten and the Colts won four of six games.
"It gives the boys an awesome experience as a group but most importantly great cricket against very strong opposition," Miller says.
Says Harper: "This commitment has seen our boys' skills and attitude to the game blossom in 2014 and their success so far is down to this."
Incumbent Black Caps such as captain Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, BJ Watling, Corey Anderson and Tim Southee have competed in these tournaments.
HB U14: Joey Field, Alex Ryder, Ben Stowe, Liam Smith, Rohan Fendall.
HB U15: Sean Broderick, Bayley Wiggins.
HB U16: Sam Field, Bryce Green, Thomas Barclay.
HB U17: Jarrod McLeod, James Field, Mickey Stirling, Josh Hannan, Jacob Henry.
CD U17: James Field.
FIrst XI schedule:
Monday (50 overs semifinal for CD Gillette Cup qualifiers):
HBHS v Palmerston North High, Nelson College v New Plymouth Boys' High.
Tuesday: Winners from above games.
Champions: Early December to play at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln, with winners from the six major associations for the Gillette Cup over five days for national high school supremacy.
Colts XI schedule:
Tuesday: v Hutt International Boys
Wednesday: v Otago Boys High.
Thursday: v Christchurch Boys High.
Friday: v Auckland Grammar school.
