Huntley School’s Archie Lance hits 30-ball century in school cricket match

Huntley School's Archie Lance (right) and George Gwilliam put on a 150-run partnership, with Lance smashing a century in 30 balls. Photo / Fin Ocheduszko Brown

Huntley School cricket player Archie Lance notched up 103 runs from 30 balls in a school cricket match.

The Rangitīkei school’s deputy head boy achieved the feat in just 31 minutes against Wellington’s St Mark’s School on March 12.

The 13-year-old hit 20 boundaries, with 13 fours and seven sixes, and had a strike rate of 343.

He was partnered by his friend and captain, George Gwilliam, who went 50 from 26.

Lance said it “felt really good” to hit a century so efficiently and carry on his confident form.

“I knew that I was doing pretty well, [Gwilliam] knew as well because he was giving me a lot of strike, so I have to thank him, too.”

Gwilliam said it was a great moment to see his mate perform so well.

“To see it happen with my eyes and be there was pretty cool.”

Lance and Gwilliam were the opening batsmen.

Team coach Matt Rose said it was a tactical decision to switch the batting order for the match, with Lance and Gwilliam usually batting fourth or fifth.

Rose said he wanted the pair to get as many runs as possible in a short amount of time to give the team the best chance of winning.

It paid off; Lance’s first hit was a six and the runs kept coming.

Lance did not think he would reach 100 runs but Rose said it was not something that was too far out of reach.

“There have been a few times where he’d get to 50 or 60 and then go out so it was nice to see him push on,” Rose said.

Rose said Gwilliam played “quite sensible” to enable Lance to continue his streak of boundaries.

“He was mature enough to understand that Archie was going pretty well,” Rose said.

Archie’s father, Tom Lance, is a Whanganui Cricket representative.

Lance said his dad had given him some cricketing tips over the years that had contributed to his confidence.

“He has told me not to get down on myself and to feel confident no matter what.”

He spent all summer practising in his spare time to get used to the hard cricket balls used in games.

Huntley School headmaster Sam Edwards said the school was “incredibly proud” of Lance’s achievement.

“Scoring a century from just 30 balls is a remarkable feat at any level of cricket and reflects both natural talent and a great deal of hard work,” Edwards said.

“We encourage our students to play with confidence, courage and enjoyment, and this innings certainly captured all of those qualities.

“It is wonderful to see our students achieving success in sport while representing the school with such pride.”

Lance said his goals in cricket were simple - “have fun and give my best”.

Gwilliam said he had “ticked off” one of his main goals in cricket, which was to be a part of a 150-run partnership.

Lance is yet to decide on his secondary school for 2027, with Whanganui Collegiate School, Palmerston North Boys’ High School and Francis Douglas Memorial College all high on his list.

Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.