Huntley fifth at Active Post nationals

ACCOLADES: Huntley wicket keeper Curtis Heaphy was named MVP of the Active Post cricket tournament, best fielder and second best batsman in Christchurch last week.

The Huntley first XI has just returned from placing fifth at the National Active Post cricket finals played at Lincoln in Canterbury.

The Marton-based school dropped two spots from its third place at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in the 2015 finals.

Huntley qualified by first winning the Pak'n Save Whanganui Intermediate Schools back in April, then more recently winning the Central Districts competition in Palmerston by beating the best from Manawatu, Taranaki and Hawkes Bay, which was no mean feat.

The tournament in Lincoln included the best of the best from throughout the regions. The final was won by Heaton Intermediate from Christchurch.

Huntley deputy principal Gareth Wood said the school played well against some very strong opposition. Two Huntley players stood out and caught the eye of national judges.

"Curtis Heaphy and Shaun O'Leary were both named in the tournament team after producing some outstanding form," Wood said yesterday.

However, Heaphy received further accolades when named Player of the Tournament, Best Fielder and Second Best Batsman.

"Curtis is an outstanding player and is our opening batsman and our wicket keeper. His is a bit of an all rounder really and scored the second most runs of the tournament in Christchurch. In fact, we have a very strong 1st X1 this season and had a few close matches during the Active Post tournament," Wood said.