Open Boys Cricket

On Friday, the Open Boys Cricket side played two T20 games down on the ovals.

Our first game was against the RAP combined small schools team, and the boys were keen to make a strong start to the day. Batting first, our co-captain Nick Perram and fellow opener Archer Quinn got us off to a strong start, putting on 48 for the first wicket. Year 8 young gun Jed Scott joined Archer with the score 2-52, and they then proceeded to put on a 61 run partnership. The pair batted beautifully, and although Archer fell just short of his half century, Jed was able to finish the innings off, smashing 56 not out, his first ever half century, and propelling us to a great score of 3/138 at the end of our 20 overs.

The game was then essentially over before RAP’s innings had begun. Co-Captain Ross Durnan surprised me when he said he would open the bowling with Judd Powell, but it proved a masterstroke. First ball, clean bowled, second ball a great catch by Jamin and Judd was on a hattrick! Unfortunately, his hattrick ball was a shocker, short and wide, but he got straight back on target and clean bowled the RAP batter, 3 wickets in 4 balls. Emmett Smith picked up 2 early wickets himself and RAP were 5/8.

RAP fought back a little with a good partnership, but Jed Scott’s day out continued with the ball, picking up 2-1 and cleaning up the tail along with Ross and Archer.

A 79 run victory meant we would face Yanco in the final.

Yanco came into the match very confident, however our boys were up for the challenge with some disciplined bowling and excellent fielding. Spear-head Judd picked up the early wicket of Yanco’s ‘gun’ player for 9. On the back of some excellent catching, Judd, Jed and Ross all ended up with 2 wickets and Bryce and Emett picked up 1 each. Yanco all out for 94.

Controversy struck at the innings break when Yanco just miraculously realised that they had to get home to catch buses in 30 minutes, and we were told the run chase would be reduced to just 6 overs with a revised target of 29.

We lost 4 early wickets to Yanco’s opening bowlers, leaving 14 to get off the last two overs, with Judd and Ross at the crease. Judd was able to crunch a boundary at the end of the 5th over and then ran a quick single in the last over, getting Ross on strike with 5 needed off 4. Needing something special, our co-captain was able to come up clutch, smashing a massive 6 over square leg to bring up the win, as our boys stormed the field to celebrate with him.

With a positive, winning attitude from everyone all throughout the day, our boys, once again, proved that Narrandera High School is the premier sporting state school in the region.

Thanks to everyone who came down to support us during the day. The boys now move on the next round of the Davidson Shield.

Mr Thomas Dore

Cricket Coach