Southland Boys' High School secured a thrilling win over Waikoikoi in their ILT 50 over competition match on Saturday.
The visitors did well to bowl Boys' High out for just 156 in 43 overs. Fast bowler Finn Hurley did the damage for Waikoikoi, taking six wickets for 28 runs off his 10 overs. Only Benji Culhane with 67 was able to get going with the bat.
In reply, the Waikoikoi batsmen struggled to set up any significant partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals. Jared McKenzie top-scored on 25, with support from Blair McKenzie, unbeaten on 24. Waikoikoi required three runs to win when its last batsman, Jack Hilton, came to the crease, but he only lasted two balls before being given out lbw.
Marist set an imposing 262 for nine from their 50 overs against Invercargill Old Boys at Miller St. Opening batsmen James Ng and Matt McCall put on 60 before two quick wickets brought Southland Captain Shaun Fitzgibbon (55) and Ben McKercher (41) together for a 97-run partnership. Andrew Sinclair also scored a quickfire 39. The best bowling figures for Old Boys' came from Liam McWillam 3-37 and Harsh Visavadia 3-43.
Old Boys' started the chase in good fashion with Visavadia (34) and Jason Milne-Win (58) putting on an 83-run partnership at the top of the order before wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Old Boys' were bowled out for 166. The best bowling figures for Appleby belonged to Matt McCall 3-36 and Milne 4-36.
Appleby comfortably chased down the 137-run target Invercargill Metropolitan had set for it with six wickets to spare. The Metropolitan innings got off to a bad start when it lost its first three wickets for 12 runs. Hamish Cooke (39) and Andrew Armour steadied the ship with an 80-run partnership. Once Cooke and Daniel Mills fell consecutively to fast bowler Calum Johnstone, the Metro innings fell apart. Armour was left unbeaten on 69. Johnstone finished with 3-17 from 10 overs.
In reply, Appleby was at one stage reduced to 41 for three, but it was never under serious pressure, reaching the target in the 36th over. Venkat Kotte chipped in with 28 and Ankit Pusharthy finished unbeaten on 50.
- John Langford
