Whangarei Boys' High School struggled against competition favourites Christchurch Boys' High School in their round three clash in the Gillette Cup Finals in Christchurch, losing by 85 runs.
Christchurch got off to a flying start before left arm spinners David Armitt (one for 28) and Sam Clotworthy (one for 42)slowed the scoring rate in their 10-over spells.
But CBHS, capitalising on the fact that they had wickets in hand, accelerated over the latter part of their innings to post a formidable total of 276 for six wickets on Wednesday.
When opening batsmen Armitt was run out for 15, and three other wickets fell cheaply, Boys' High appeared to be out of the contest. However, a 105 run partnership between Nick Stobart and Clotworthy kept them in the game.
Stobart hit three sixes and three fours in his 62, while Clotworthy played the supporting role in his innings of 39. An upset win looked a possibility at the second drinks break, but when both batsmen fell in quick succession the momentum was lost.
The tailenders tried in vain to keep up the run rate required but the last wicket fell with Boys' High still 85 runs short.
Meanwhile, in Tuesday's match up, Boys' High again fell short but this time in the 49th over.
A fine captain's innings of 77 not out from Max Davis allowed Boys' High to post a defendable total of 187 for seven wickets when they batted first against Lindisfarne College on the second day.
Despite three wickets to Stobart in his opening spell, three to Max Trimble in his second spell, and some fine bowling in the middle of the innings by Caleb Boswell-Smith, Lindisfarne completed a win by three wickets in the 49th over.
The Boys' High top-order batting was similar to their disappointing effort on the opening day, but a partnership of 91 for the seventh wicket between Davis and Tim Osbaldiston (22) changed the course of the game.
With some help from Trimble in the last over, they added 86 runs in the last nine overs to give their side something to bowl at.
When Stobart removed Lindisfarne's two leading scorers from the previous day, a Whangarei win was a distinct prospect, but Lindisfarne held their nerve.
Scores: Lindisfarne College 188/7 (Nick Stobart 3/23, Max Trimble 3/44) beat WBHS 187/7 (Max Davis 77 n.o., Tim Osbaldiston 22, Matt Lobb 20); Christchurch BHS 276/6 (Nick Stobart 2/80) beat WBHS 191 (Nick Stobart 62, Sam Clotworthy 39).
