Rathkeale’s Gus Borren [centre] is congratulated by his teammates after bowling Wairarapa College’s Jordan Nelson. PHOTO/ELI HILL
CRICKET
ELI HILL
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Rathkeale College cleared their first hurdle in the Gillette Cup National Secondary Schools’ First XI cricket tournament with a massive 205-run win over Wairarapa College on Thursday.
The 50-over match held at Wairarapa College in hot – then rainy – conditions saw Rathkeale bat first and put 290 runs on the scoreboard.
Gus Borren produced the side’s star performance, hitting 79 runs off 45 balls including 13 fours and two sixes and Jesse McIntyre also scored well, making 60 runs off 74 balls.
However, the Waicol bowlers kept Rathkeale in check with Josh Nelson taking two wickets in the first four overs and picking up two more as the match progressed while Jake Young took three.
Waicol’s reply was on the ropes when Rathkeale had them at 17-2 in the 10th over.
A rain shower interrupted play for about 45 minutes and Rathkeale revelled in the cooler conditions to quickly grab another three wickets for 21 runs.
A brief 11-run partnership between Zac Te Maro and Caleb Anstis was broken by Ralph McLeod who removed Te Maro.
Rathkeale’s Ralph McIntyre, who had earlier removed Waicol captain Oliver Bunny and Mark Steventon, then produced a blistering spell to snap up three wickets in the space of 16 runs to pin Waicol down at 69-9 before dismissing them at 85 in 25 overs.
McIntyre, 5-21,was Rathkeale’s leading bowler.
Rathkeale captain John McKenzie said the side had performed well in the field.
“We did a lot better in our bowling than we did in the batting, our openers did a perfect job and made good lengths in a good channel the whole time to make it difficult for their batsmen.
“We’d set three to four targets in our batting but didn’t quite reach them, so we had to make it up in the field.”
McKenzie said the Wairarapa College side had performed well in the heat.
“I thought they bowled quite well for a long period of time with challenging conditions – it was really hot out there and the ball raced off the outfield.
“We’re quite pleased with the win, it’s the local derby and it’s always good to get bragging rights around here, so a good win.”
Rathkeale now head on to the next stage of the knockout competition where they will take on the winner of the Manawatu region.
McKenzie was optimistic at the side’s chances of having a good cup season.
“We’ve got a long way to go from here but we’ll do our best.”
Brief scores
Rathkeale College: 290, 48.1 overs [G Borren 79, J McIntyre 60, I Noble 27; J Nelson 4-40, O Bunny 3-48] beat Wairarapa College: 85, 25 overs [F Stephens 21no, Z Te Maro 16; J McIntyre 5-21, J Osborne 1-10] by 205 runs.
