A victory long-awaited

Last Saturday the Matamata College First XI cricket team defeated St Paul’s First XI by nine wickets to win back the coveted Dave Hoskin trophy.

It’s the first time in 17 years that Matamata has beaten St Paul’s.

Matamata held the trophy – the ‘‘Ranfurly Shield of Waikato First XI cricket’’ – going into this season but lost it to Hamilton Boys’ High School in a poor performance in the first game of the season. Hamilton Boys’ subsequently lost it to St Paul’s who were undefeated in the competition, until Saturday, that is.

Matamata bowled first and soon had St Paul’s under pressure with excellent controlled bowling, backed up by outstanding fielding.

Taylor Green, (4-39), and Nick Perring, (2-31), knocked the top off the St Paul’s innings and Michael Hollier, (2-30), and Zach Bell, (1-34), kept the pressure on. Wicket keeper George Trower took two excellent catches and St Paul’s were dismissed for 158 in 42 overs.

Matamata had been in a similar position against St Paul’s many times in the past but the batting had let the team down. Not on Saturday.

Openers Ciaran O’Malley and Chanchal Singh put on 103 for the first wicket to set up the win. With impressive controlled aggression they frustrated the St Paul’s team with good running between the wickets.

Captain O’Malley took the fight to the two St Paul’s spinners who had caused Matamata grief in the past, ending up 95 not out; an innings that included 10 fours and two sixes. Singh ended on 29.

Nick Perring then joined O’Malley to see Matamata home with 18 overs and nine wickets to spare.