It beat Southland Boys’ in the regional final in Alexandra last Sunday, the game having been rained off in Dunedin in March after Wakatipu High beat Dunedin’s John McGlashan College in the quarterfinal then, in a huge upset, Otago Boys’ in the semis.
Southland Boys’ had been due to host Sunday’s 50-over final but couldn’t provide a grass wicket so it was relocated to Alexandra’s Molyneux Park, making it almost a home game for the Queenstown team.
Wakatipu High, who due to rain this spring had only played one game this season, the day before, bowled out Southland Boys’ for just 89, Jake Wards taking 3 for 8 and Conor Clarke 3 for 15.
In reply, Angus O’Neil played a captain’s knock, with 43, and shared vital partnerships with Hugo Mawdsley and Hugo Bogue.
Angus and Hugo Bogue got out in successive balls to create some nervous moments before Wakatipu High reached the target with only 4 wickets down.
"This victory is a huge result for both Wakatipu High School and Queenstown Cricket Club and a testament to all the work put in by previous teams, coaches and sponsors in helping grow cricket in the Whakatipu through the club competition and the cricket tours to Hawke’s Bay, Australia and Sri Lanka," co-coach Walt Clarke says.
The school — also the first in Otago Country to win the regionals — will now play the five other regional winners in the finals at Lincoln, near Christchurch, from December 17 till 22.
The team’s also looking for sponsors to come onboard at very short notice.
