Quad Tournament

Marlborough Boys’ College cricket played host to Auckland Grammar School, Christ’s College, and Otago Boys’ High School during the second week of the Term Three holidays in what is becoming an annual tournament.

Marlborough Boys’ College played Auckland Grammar School on the first day on the number one pitch at Horton Park.  Grammar batted first and scored an impressive 301-6 from their fifty overs. Their top-order batters adapted to the slowish nature of the wicket and accelerated through the innings well.  The most impressive MBC bowler was leg spinner Dane Winstanley, who bagged 2-38 from his ten overs.

MBC struggled throughout their innings against the accurate Grammar attack, which included two New Zealand age group players.  Luke Holdaway was the only batter who looked comfortable against the Grammar bowlers, top scoring with 31 including five boundaries. MBC were dismissed in the 26th over for 60, giving Grammar a convincing win by 241 runs.

On the number three pitch at Horton Park, Christ’s College won a very exciting game against Otago Boys’ High School by one run.  Christ’s scored 165 and held their nerve to dismiss OBHS for 164.

On the second day, MBC were more convincing against Christ’s College.

MBC lost the toss and after fourteen overs, Christ’s were regretting the decision to bat first, being seven down for 39 runs. Excellent opening spells of bowling by captain Baxter Croad and Nathan Brooke-Taylor aided by some good catching and fielding saw MBC clearly on top. The Christ’s lower order dug in, and they made their way to a respectable 210 before being dismissed in the 48th over. Croad was the best of the bowlers with 3-22, while Brooke-Taylor supported him with 3-41, Archie Cornelius took 2-53 and Kayse Holdaway claimed 2-17.

MBC’s reply did not begin well with both openers dismissed with only 29 runs scored, Lachlan MacNeill scoring a hard hit 21.  This brought Luke Holdaway and Ben Armstrong together who combined in a partnership of 81 in only twelve overs taking MBC through to 110/2.  Holdaway was the dominant partner going to his fifty in only 29 balls. He was in complete control and had the Christ’s bowlers at his mercy. Unfortunately, he was dismissed for sixty off 42 balls, including seven fours and three sixes, precipitating a collapse that saw five wickets dismissed for only 22 runs, with Armstrong contributing 31 runs. Hayden McWilliam kept MBC in the hunt scoring 34 and getting them close to the target. He was supported by Brooke-Taylor and Cornelius in adding 62 runs in total for the eighth and ninth wickets.  The rearguard action faltered at 196 giving Christ’s victory by fourteen runs.

In the other match Grammar defeated OBHS by five wickets.

The third day started with rain necessitating a reduction in overs with both games being reduced to 35 overs. 

OBHS won the toss against MBC and elected to bat.  Consistent batting throughout their innings saw them accumulate 180 in their 35 overs.  The best of the bowlers was Luke Holdaway with 2-34, while Cornelius was expensive in picking up 2-56 off his seven overs.  The MBC batting effort was poor again and for the third time in a row at the tournament they failed to get to 100, being dismissed for 84 in the 31st over.  Top scorer was MacNeill with 30, which included five fours and one six.

Grammar completed the tournament unbeaten defeating Christ’s by 106 runs.