PLAYING ON: Brad Griffith on his way to a magnificent 172 for Wairarapa College.
PLAYING ON: Brad Griffith on his way to a magnificent 172 for Wairarapa College.
Rathkeale College have retained the biggest prize in intercollegiate cricket in Wairarapa - the McBride-Peterson Cup.
This annual fixture against Wairarapa College was played on the same weekend as hosts Rathkeale were celebrating their 50th jubilee and, while the end result of a draw might suggest otherwise, it produced aspectacle well worthy of the occasion with 812 runs scored over the two days.
It was Central Districts age group representative and Rathkeale skipper Liam Burling who led the way when his team batted first and worked through to a healthy first innings score of 247. Burling made 77 against a Wairarapa College attack spearheaded by Brad Griffith, who finished with the impressive figures of 5-34 from just eight overs.
The impact of Griffith with the ball, however, almost paled into insignificance compared with his contribution when Wairarapa College amassed 340-7 in their first innings before declaring. He displayed a wide range of attacking shots in a brilliant knock of 172 made from 208 balls and including 90 runs in boundaries, 21 fours and one six. Supporting Griffith well was Lucien Burt, whose 86 came from 161 balls.
Their declaration meant Wairarapa College had a first innings lead of 93 and, with 70 overs still to play, their objective was to bowl Rathkeale out a second time and chase down any target set them in the process.
At 27-2, the odds clearly favoured Wairarapa College doing just that but stubborn middle order resistance from Burling (52), Miller Payton-Masters (34) and Jack Forrester (42) had Rathkeale at 225-8 at the close of play.
