John Paul College cricketers gain experience during NZCT Cup qualifying

The John Paul College junior cricket team held their own at the NZCT Cup Bay of Plenty qualifiers. Photo/Supplied

Despite fielding a young side and entering mainly for the experience, a John Paul College junior cricket team has finished second in the Bay of Plenty qualifiers for the NZCT Cup cricket tournament.

First-placed Tauranga Boys' College, will play the winner of the Poverty Bay qualifiers for a place at the national tournament.

JPC coach Crispian Stewart said the team entered to gain experience as they only had three Year 9 players. The rest of the team was made up of eight Year 8 players and one Year 7.

"We had a great start against Aquinas with the Veitch brothers [Matt and Angus] combining to pick up the first five wickets cheaply.

"Cohen [Stewart] and Sean [Gapes] cleaned up the tail and we had a modest chase of 50 runs for the win. A mature approach from our top order had us reach our target after 13 overs for the loss of only two wickets," Stewart said.

In their second game JPC took on tournament favourites, Tauranga Boys' College, and batted first.

"Again another good start, this time with the bat having reached 47 in seven overs for no loss," Stewart said.

"Viren Patel and Matt Veitch were showing some good controlled aggression with defence to frustrate the TBC bowlers. However, we just couldn't kick on against some quality bowling and could only post a score of 83 for six after 20 overs.

"TBC started well reaching 21 without loss after only four overs. However, a flurry of wickets in the next six overs had them 42 for five after 10 overs and the game was well in the balance.

"Brooke Mitchell was our key destroyer and was well supported by Cohen and Joel with some cheap overs. But a mature sixth-wicket partnership saw TBC through with two overs to spare. "

In the third and final game JPC took on Bethlehem knowing they had an outside chance of qualifying for the next stage.

"We set out a plan to be aggressive from the start and post a large score, then bowl them out cheaply to improve our net run rate. Angus lost his third toss in a row, but luckily we were asked to bat.

"Gert Van De Merwe played brilliantly at the top of the order with aggression and taking the pressure off Cohen to score quickly and get himself set to bat through. We reached 52 in the 11th over before Gert was dismissed but his job was done and the scene was set for Viren Patel to be aggressive from the start and build on the great platform set. The second-wicket partnership of 82 runs between Cohen and Viren in the next eight overs ensured a competitive total was posted.

"Harshdeep Kahlon ensured there would be no meaningful reply from Bethlehem by bowling his four overs at the top of the innings for only nine runs and picking up the two opening batsmen's wickets. With three run outs and some brilliant catching from Cohen and Matt Veitch, Bethlehem finished their 20 overs on 79 for 7."

While Tauranga Boys' still finished top of the table and move on to the next stage of qualifying, Stewart was proud of the way his young side performed.

"Our player of the tournament was Viren Patel with his dominant batting. His only dismissal was a run out and he continues to be a key wicket for opposition teams," he said.