New Plymouth Old Boys take out premier final
New Plymouth Old Boys took out the premier one day final at the weekend thanks to standout performances from Ross Bryans and Kaylum Boshier.
New Plymouth Marist United (NPMU) won the toss and opted to bat first in the Revital Fertilisers Premier One Day final at Pukekura Park.
But Irishman Byrans led the charge for NPOB from the onset and never let the NPMU batsmen settle.
He had Ryan Fleming caught at second slip by Kaylum Boshier on the third ball of the day. Bryans then picked up the wicket of Kurt Leuthart in his third over followed by Jarred Cunningham and the prized wicket of Dean Robinson in his fourth over. Robinson fell victim to a sensational catch by Ben Mitchell in the gully.
Bryans opening spell of four for 20 from five overs set the scene for Old Boys and opened up the Marist innings to have them reeling at 36 for four after 10 overs.
Andrew Kelly and Ryan Watson would stop the flow of wickets, but even with the change of bowlers the pressure was never lifted.
Veteran Jamie Watkins bowled his typical line and length and completed his 10 overs on the trot with figures of one for 23, picking up the wicket of Kelly.
Taranaki skipper Mattie Thomas bowled in partnership with Watkins, finishing with one for 12 off seven overs as the Marist batsmen could not get any impetus before Bryans was asked to come back in and complete the job.
Bryans would pick up the next three wickets to finish with seven for 32 off 10 overs.
Boshier would complete a fine Old Boys’ fielding effort, picking up the final wicket and dismissing Marist for a paltry 101. Watson top scored for Marist with 28.
A visibly excited Old Boys’ side walked off the park thinking the job was done before the umpires advised the captains that seven overs were to be bowled before the scheduled lunch break.
This was Marist’s time to strike and they did in sensational fashion with Old Boys’ opener Josh Borrell falling victim to a half tracker from Daniel Bernet.
Next over, Jackson Braddock Pajo couldn’t time a pull shot and found the safe hands of Josh Barrett.
The very next ball Watson produced an absolute gem of delivery that found the gate of Ross Bryans and cannoned into off stump, Old Boys found themselves three for three.
The mood had changed for both camps, but cometh the hour cometh the man. Kaylum Boshier strode to the wicket and quickly asserted his dominance.
The final over before lunch Boshier would take 13 runs off Watson, including a hook shot final ball of the session into the car park, the momentum had swung again.
At 23 for three at lunch and both teams would have fancied their chances.
After lunch Boshier was joined by Mattie Thomas who played the supporting role as Boshier made batting look very easy, the two combined for a 53 run stand before Thomas was cleaned bowled by Hayden Birss.
Ben Mitchell joined Boshier and those two guided Old Boys to a comfortable six-wicket victory with Boshier finishing the game in emphatic style with a six straight back over Watson’s head, Boshier finishing 66 not out.