Waicol players celebrate a catch by Toby Nelson, left. PHOTOS/KYLIE EVANS
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
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Samuel Payne continued his outstanding batting form with his fourth century in the College Sports Wellington Premier Three competition as Waicol thumped Onslow College to wrap up the championship.
The 15-year-old was outstanding in demolishing the Onslow College bowlers with a brilliant 110 not out in difficult batting conditions on a damp Waicol pitch.
Waicol and Onslow went into Saturday’s game with unbeaten records and everything to play for, with the winner to claim championship honours.
The home side overcame early struggles on the bowler-friendly pitch after captain Mark Steventon won the toss and decided to bat.
Openers Zac Anstis [23] and Conley Alexander [39], and Steventon [13] showed good patience in laying the foundation for a big score, with the total at 92-3 after 18 overs.
Payne then featured in valuable partnerships, 47 with Felix Stephens [39 off 27 balls, including one six and six fours], and a key sixth-wicket stand of 97 with Toby Nelson, who only scored 19 but was a useful foil for his in-form partner.
Payne was watchful early in his innings, waiting for the bad ball to put away, but once he reached his half century, he flourished and brought up three figures in 90 balls.
His 110 not out included six fours and seven sixes, including a few big hits around the ground, mixed in with some good stroke play and defence.
The century was Payne’s fourth in five innings in the championship and took his total runs for the competition to 548, at an average of 274, and a highest score of 219no against Wellington College Black.
Waicol’s total of 303 was well above par on the tricky pitch, and they soon had Onslow in deep trouble at 14-2 with left-arm medium pacer Jacob Watkins-Reid picking up two early wickets in a top spell of line and length bowling.
Further wickets to Alexander and Stephens had the visitors at 30-4, a position they never recovered from, eventually being dismissed for 146.
The match was the last competition game for Waicol for Steventon, Hadley Wiramanaden, Watkins-Reid, and Stephens.
Waicol will next play in the premier two-three grading rounds in the first term of the 2022 school year.
