Cricket: Wanganui High takes T20 title

Umpire Paul O'Callaghan has to get low as the ball evades Wanganui High School bowler Dylan Martin, while Cullinane College batsman Raymond Teki looks on. Photo/Bevan Conley

The gap between town and country school cricket was painfully evident at Victoria Park yesterday as Wanganui High School cruised through the T20 Challenge Cup competition.

WHS picked up a nine-wicket win over Cullinane in the final after both the town clubs had hammered their Ruapehu and Rangitikei college opposition that morning.

Against Ruapehu, WHS bludgeoned 243-5, with all-rounder Andrew Mackintosh scoring 50 at the top of the order before Jessica Watkin plundered 117, with fours and sixes abounding.

In reply, the Ohakune team wasted away for 33.

Mackintosh, who took seven wickets in a recent Gillette Cup match, grabbed two scalps in his only over and then asked to be taken off to allow his teammates their share.

Across the park, despite having their fair share of players who had not padded up in regular competition, Rangitikei gave Cullinane a tougher morning, raising 125-8 from their innings.

However, on the back of a Brett Cameron 69, the city school cruised to 126-1 in 16 overs.

Reliance on Cameron and his fellow top order players was near total for Cullinane in the final, but when their captain skied the ball for Joe Redpath to take a good catch, the writing was on the wall.

Adam Boult (36) and Raymond Teki (34) made the one noteworthy partnership as 103-6 was not likely to be enough. Caleb Martin (3-10) and Adam Gill (2-11) were the pick of the WHS bowlers.

Rangitikei handily won the playoff for 3rd/4th while Ruapehu, with Brendan Berquist providing some entertainment by slogging boundaries despite having not played since primary school.