Boys' School Cricket 1st XI Qualifies For Nationals

After the disruption to the winter sports programme due to Covid-19, we are all relieved to have returned in Term 4 to our usual annual summer fixtures.

The Boys’ School 1st XI Cricket team has been delighted with their season so far, having just won the Auckland Active Cup competition that now qualifies them to enter the National Competition in Palmerston North in two weeks’ time.

They started by winning the first two matches of the season against Sacred Heart and Balmoral Intermediate, assuring themselves a place in the semi-final against Murray’s Bay. The team fielded first and tight bowling was the order of the day, with the boys’ openers on target from the start, not giving the batsmen any width, thus restricting their runs. As each of our batsmen stepped up to bat, they scored freely and quickly, with most having a strike rate over 100%. The good start, set up by the openers, was undone with two quick wickets, putting some pressure on a new batting order. Jitters were soon put aside with Harry Waite and Carter McMahon scoring at well over a run a ball. Saint Kentigern won the semi-final by 61 runs to advance to the final against King’s School.

There was much riding on the Auckland final, knowing that the winner would advance to the National competition. Winning the toss, the boys elected to bat first, with our top four batsmen retiring not-out. Seven batsmen took the crease and each of them had strike rates over 100% providing a dominant batting display. The opening pair of Ollie Davies (32*) and Marco Alpe (37*) allowed Harry McLeod to play freely scoring 43*, with Harry Waite (23*), Fergus Allan (26) and Carter McMahan (25) all adding to our top score for this season at 195/2.

Following on from the batting, the bowling and fielding were exceptional in this game, with a display of outstanding wicketkeeping from Marco Alpe, leading the way for the fielders to follow. Ollie Davies and Harry Waite each picked up three wickets, and Will Barclay and Harry McLeod picked up two apiece.

The team put up a great display of finals spirit eventually winning the final by 95 runs! Well done boys and all the very best at the Nationals in Palmerston North!

Saint Kentigern Boys’ School 1st XI Cricket Team:
Marco Alpe (Captain)                                                                                                         
Ollie Davies (Vice- Captain - Fielding)
Fergus Allan
William Barclay
Joel Gardner
Thomas McCulloch
Harry McLeod
Carter McMahon
Sam Openshaw
Harry Waite (Vice-Captain)
Fergus Williams