They dispatched Dunedin schools John McGlashan and perennial favourites Otago Boys’ to make the regional final, and posted a six-wicket win over Southland Boys’ to qualify for the First XI Cup national finals in Lincoln next month.
They are the first school from the Otago Country catchment to make it through to the national finals.
It arguably signals a slight shift in the cricketing power base in the region.
The school delivered teenage seamer Mason Clarke fully baked last season. He played five T20s and two list A games for the Volts and looked at home at the elite level.
Hugo Bogue shapes as the next star.
He has been carving up with the bat in the Dunedin club scene and played an important role in qualifying.
He clubbed 79 in the surprise win over Otago Boys’ and took two wickets in the regional final.
Mason Clarke’s younger brother, Liam, is another to watch, and fellow top-order batter and captain Angus O’Neill top-scored in the regional final with a critical knock of 43.
Wakatipu First XI coach Walter Clarke — no relation of Liam and Mason but the father of Conor Clarke, who also plays for the First XI — reckons Wakatipu are a bit like a roughie in a horse race.
"Look, it’ll be a huge step up for us," Clarke said.
"No, we won’t be the bookies’ favourite, but we’ll certainly be worth a punt for an upset. We’ll be like one of those roughies at the Melbourne Cup.
"But cricket does seem to be one of those magical games where, on the day, anything’s possible."
The game against Otago Boys’ felt a bit like that, Clarke said.
Wakatipu scored 151, which "never seemed like enough".
"But it was runs on the board, and it made them nervous and made them do silly things."
Otago Boys’ were bowled out for 122. Bogue took four for 22. He shuffles in off a short run-up and is not express, but he gets plenty of swing.
Toby Gallie (three for 31) and Toby Mawdsley (two for 19) made solid contributions as well.
The regional final against Southland Boys’ in March could not go ahead as scheduled because of a "biblical downpour".
It was shifted to Molyneux Park and played earlier this month.
Southland Boys’ were rolled for 89. Wakatipu had the odd fright but knocked off the target reasonably comfortably in the end.
