Collegiate in the hunt

The Wanganui Collegiate First XI who defeated the Parnell Cricket Club's combined schools team in two of their three games recently.

The Wanganui Collegiate First XI showed good composure in their run chases to pick up two wins from three preseason matches in Auckland recently.

Under Active Physio Wanganui representative coach Warren Marr, the WCS team were invited by the prestigious Parnell Cricket Club to play three formats over two days against the club's secondary school squad.

Head director of sport Barry Touzel said their opposition consisted of players aged 15-18, coming from a variety of Auckland schools who are also club members.

While WCS were well beaten by eight wickets in the 50 over match, they had revenge with wins in the Twenty20 and 40 over games.

In the T20, WCS bowled PCC out for 135 with Harry Cave (3-21) and captain Angus Dinwiddie (2-18) being the pick of the bowlers.

They then reached the target with six wickets down, led by a strong contribution from team newcomer Trey Bidois, who scored 71 from 54 balls.

It was a similar story in the 40 over game, as WCS bowled Parnell out for 193, with Bidois (3-38), Dinwiddie (2-22) and James Pennefather (2-29) sharing the spoils.

Set a challenging 4.8 runs-per-over target, WCS reached the promised land for another four wicket win, with the main contributions coming from Sam Sherriff (51), Ben Kelt (36) and Charles Greatbatch (21)

Touzel said the run chases were excellent against a competent bowling attack.

The WCS 1st XI will have six fixtures against fellow lower North Island cricket schools from February to April, as well as their annual trip to Christ's College in Canterbury in mid-March.