On the back of a 10-wicket victory the week prior, the 1st XI was brought back to Earth last Saturday as it succumbed to a 144-run loss at the hands of Otago Boys' HS Red.

Having won the toss and elected to field against a younger opposition, the boys started well with Will Clark and Archie Smith snaring a wicket each in their opening spell. Slowly but surely, however, Otago Boys' hit their stride with a series of very strong partnerships through the middle of the innings, with one of their openers anchoring the innings marvellously en route to 72 from 87 balls. With extras (44) again featuring prominently, Otago Boys' finished with a tidy 223/7 from its 40 overs. Will Clark (7-0-23-2) and Alec Mills (6-1-27-2) were the pick of the bowlers, while newcomer Toby Deverson took a wicket in his first outing for the school.

Chasing a total of this magnitude with a side that is arguably more bowler-heavy was always going to be a tall order. Sadly, none of our top order were able to make a decent start, which put us behind the 8-ball. Batting at six, Ruben Pelser was looking in good touch with three early boundaries, only to be bowled for 21 from 19 balls. There was a little bit of resistance down the bottom of the order from Balin Wood (6* from 24), but the side was only able to muster 79 runs. Not quite good enough on the day.

This Saturday, the 1st XI welcomes the Trinity College 1st XI - a side that was narrowly beaten by Otago Boys' HS Red back in Round One. If our boys are to stand a chance of toppling Trinity, there will need to be far more application from the top order. An honest and mature 40-over effort with the bat - none of the histrionics we see the professionals execute on the television - would assuredly do the heart of Coach Matsas some good as the side looks to resurrect its season.

The match begins at 1:00 down at the Theatre of Dreams and the community is warmly invited to come along to cheer the lads on.

Elliott Carroll

TIC Boys' Cricket

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