Combined 100 year records broken

Harry Godfrey (left) and Joseph Abernethy combined to break two longstanding Wanganui Collegiate records at the 2017 Junior Cricket Tournament in Hawkes Bay at the weekend.

A powerhouse display with the bat shot two Wanganui Collegiate cricketers into the record books at the the annual 2017 Junior Cricket Tournament in Hawkes Bay at the weekend.

The school's under-15 side won three of their four matches at the four day tournament hosted by Napier Boys High, but it was the efforts of captain Harry Godfrey and Joseph Abernethy against long-time foe Lindisfarne College that set tongues wagging.

It had rained the night before the final match against Lindisfarne and a controversial start time announced on match day motivated the Wanganui lads.

Skipper Godfrey elected to bat first and Danial Taylor, George Meyer and William Hocquard relished the ball coming onto the willow with each making it into the 30s before cashing in to the Lindisfarne attack.

Godfrey and Abernethy stepped up and absolutely smashed the the attack to set up a 241run partnership by the 20th over. That set Collegiate up for a 433 run total from 45 overs in the rain-reduced match.

Godfrey's 184 eclipsed a 90-year-old Collegiate record set by A F Harding in 1927 when he smashed 175no. The 241 partnership with Abernethy also beat a 2007 school record set by now professional cricketer Ben Smith and Finlay Scott batting at No 10 that day.
They combined to score 210.

Collegiate under-15 coach Mark Godfrey and Cricket Wanganui's Dilan Raj were both hugely impressed by the powerhouse display off all batters, but in particular the record-breaking pair.

The Junior Cricket Tournament does not single out a winning team, but focuses more on pitting school against school to help develop skills.

A significant number of first class cricketers have played in the tournament over the years, including Black Caps such as Jesse Ryder, Peter McGlashan (NBHS), Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram (PNBHS) and Kane Williamson (TBC).

WCS came up against St Pat's Silverstream first winning by four wickets with Abernethy topscoring with 58. They then had an epic battle with hosts Napier Boys losing by just seven runs.

WCS got Napier all out for 197 with quality leg spinner Joel Clark picking up wickets for 34 runs off 10 overs. After losing quick wickets with the bat, WCS was suddenly ins trife at 68-5 beforew Clark again stepped into the frame posting a 56 run partnership with Henry Kilmister and 50 with Jame Craig. Unfortunately, Clark was last man out on 84 and seven run shy of victory.

Collegiate easily dealt to to Hastings Boys High shuffling them out for 105 with Craig taking three for 33 runs off 10 overs and cahsing down the total in 20 overs for a seven wicket win.

Most significantly Collegiate only has 70 cricketers to chose from, while the majority of other schools competing have up to 1000 or more.