Cricket: Whangarei Boys' High start Queensland tour strongly

The Whangarei Boys' High School cricket team on tour in Queensland. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Whangarei Boys' High School's development tour of Queensland has gotten off to a hot start, rattling off three wins from as many outings.

Their first match against Downlands College, Toowoomba, was originally slated for a one-day match but rain meant it was reduced to a Twenty20 fixture.

Not letting the delay affect them, WBHS set a solid total of 136/3 from their 20 overs.

Austyn Ryburn and Kian Bird set the tone for the Northlanders. Ryburn anchored the innings with a secure 54 while Bird was a bit more aggressive in a well-compiled run-a-ball 52.

They comfortably knocked over Downlands with no real hassle with wickets being shared between Campbell Jones (three), Jacques de Beer, Cullen Lowe and Kurt Oldridge (two a piece).

WBHS had a double date of T20s booked next against Toowoomba Grammar School.

The Northland side immediately showed their edge over their Australian rivals as they restricted their opponents to just 106.

Lowe (2 for 12) and Oldridge (1 for 12) tied them up early while Caleb Boswell-Smith started a top all-round performance with a pair of wickets as Toowoomba found run-scoring opportunities in short supply.

WBHS quickly found out runs weren't going to be easy to come by as they lost two quick wickets at the top of their reply.

However, they consolidated as Boswell-Smith (38) and Quinn Pooley (39) found their groove and got them within touching distance of victory.

The loss of three wickets brought Toowoomba back into the contest as they showed a lot of determination.

WBHS required 14 off the final two overs in a tense finish.

Lowe smoked a massive six over the cow corner boundary rope to help WBHS take 10 from the penultimate over.

Isaac Osbaldiston was facing his first delivery in the final over, needing four from six balls. He required just one chance, belting a boundary to give WBHS a five-wicket win.

WBHS batted first in the second T20 match of the day and, spurred by their fightback, Toowoomba made life difficult for the visitors as they crawled to 40/4 from the first 10 overs.

Things looked dicey for WBHS but Osbaldiston and Luke Trigg combined to add more than respectability to their total.

Both Osbaldiston (54) and Trigg (65 not out) racked up half-centuries in a 75-run stand. Trigg capped a great counter-attack with four sixes in the final over to get his side to 143.

Toowoomba started their chase well but the required run rate steadily climbed throughout their innings.

With the impending thunderstorm on its way to the ground, Sam Webb (1 for 10 from three overs) bowled a tight spell to swing a close game in WBHS' favour.

Once the storm hit the Duckworth-Lewis system was dusted off and gave WBHS the closest of victories - a one-run win.

WBHS have four matches remaining on their Queensland tour.