Cricket Report

After being comprehensively beaten by Logan Park HS the week before, the 1st XI delivered an emphatic 10-wicket victory over Otago Boys' HS Gold at the Theatre of Dreams last Saturday.

With all Dunedin matches having been called off due to rain and the threat of similar weather in Balclutha, the coaches agreed that the match would be reduced to a T20 affair.

After winning the toss and electing to field, the 1st XI started strongly against a disorganised opposition that only had six players present at the time the match began. While a couple of promising partnerships did eventuate, the effort of our boys in the field and regular wickets meant we were able to dismiss Otago Boys' for 82 in the final over. Remarkably, no player took more than one wicket, which is clearly indicative of a genuine team effort - something that Coach Matsas was quick to point out during his post-match BBC interview. On the other hand, 44 of the opposition's runs came from Extras, who continues to have a stellar season...

Chasing a meagre but not impossible-to-defend total, Jethro Melville and Kane Benington (on loan from Kai Kings) were tasked with laying the foundations with the bat. While the Otago Boys' opening bowlers beat the bat a few times early on, Melville and Benington quickly got their eye in and systematically and efficiently reeled in the opposition total in 8.5 overs. Melville finished 21*, while Benington ended unbeaten on 39 with six fours and one six.

This Saturday, the team travels to Sunnyvale, where it will face Otago Boys' HS Red, with the match set to begin at 1:00. The boys will need to be ready to go by 11:30 and should come prepared with the determination to bat sensibly, bowl accurately and field with boundless enthusiasm.

Elliott Carroll

TIC Boys' Cricket