Southland Boys' High School beat the Metropolitan Cubs by 130 runs in round eight of the Southland Club Cricket 40-over competition last Saturday.
Boys' High won the toss but, after taking first turn at bat, their top three batsmen did not settle in. Middle-order batsman Alex Gwynne (48) was able to stick with the experienced representative cricketer and school teacher Shaun Fitzgibbon, who scored an unbeaten 102 runs from 77 balls.
After posting a total of 212 runs for the loss of five wickets, the students then bowled the Cubs out for just 82 runs.
Hugh Dermody took four wickets for 22 runs from five overs and Jacob Brady took three wickets for two runs, while five tail-end Metro batsmen were dismissed without scoring.
Te Anau won the toss in Winton and opted to bat. Harsh Venguriekar (43) and Tom Clearwater (45) helped Te Anau post a total of 197 runs for seven wickets from 40 overs.
Te Anau's bowlers then skittled the Central Western batsmen for just 79 runs.
Opening bowler Jason Van de Wetering took three wickets for nine runs from his eight overs.
Appleby chased down Old Boys' total of 160 runs with three wickets and nine balls to spare at Queens Park.
Old Boys won the toss and elected to bat; opener Brayden Thomas (38) top-scored with support from Sahil Rana (21).
Appleby captain Sam Downing took four wickets for 15 runs from his eight overs.
Appleby's opening batsman Zach Harrington then hit 51 runs from 48 balls before three middle-order batsmen were dismissed for a combined score of one run.
Aaron Hart held his nerve and patiently scored an unbeaten 53 runs to carry his team to victory with support from Reid Murray (25).
Waikoikoi beat Blue Mountain by 79 runs at the college in Tapanui.
Waikoikoi won the toss and elected to bat; Todd Thayer (31) and Liam McFaul (48) got the favourites off to a good start. Jason Osborne top scored with 69 runs from 60 balls to help the visitors rack up 223 runs before being bowled out in the 38th over.
Riley Gillions scored 44 runs for Blueys but Archie Body (21) was the only other batter to settle. Body had taken three wickets earlier in the day.
Marist bowled the Royal Riders out for 146 runs and then passed the total with six wickets to spare.
This Saturday, Waikoikoi will host Marist in the ninth and final round of the first phase of the club cricket competition.
The other most interesting games are between Central Western and Blue Mountain in Winton and the Boys' High and Te Anau match beside the lake.
Old Boys will play the Royal Riders on the second field at Queens Park, while Appleby will host the Metropolitan Cubs.
- By John Langford
