Last ball drama secures 3rd grade title

Reserve Grade: Whangarei Boys’ High 47/ 9 (19.4) WRMK Kerikeri 48/2 (9.1): The Kerikeri club completely overwhelming the visitors in this Northland Reserve Grade T20 clash at Kerikeri on Saturday, winning with eight wickets and 10 overs to spare.

Keri player manager Lowell Gundry agreed it was, as the score suggested, all over with very quickly, despite the visitors travelling with only nine players.

“Everyone stood out,” he said, noting that having 12 as one of the day’s highest batting score was indicative of the result.

Keri expects to be in the semi final this Saturday, draw to be confirmed. Third Grade: Kerikeri High School 170/5 (40) Whangarei Boys’ High Gold 169/8 (40): Celebrations for the Kerikeri High School 1st XI after claiming Northland 3rd Grade’s Post Christmas 40 Over Competition title in the last ball of this game on Saturday.

Kerikeri batted first and standouts were Oscar Hart with 52 and Jayden Roberts 25 not out. Keri player coach Simon Hart noted Whangarei Boys’ began strongly before losing their first wicket. Midway through the innings, one of Whangarei Boys’ two adults — 3rd Grade is basically promoting a schoolboys competition but teams can use senior players — came on and began knocking the Keri bowlers around a bit.

With the opposition only needing five runs from the last two overs, Hart injected himself into proceedings and claimed the wicket of the guy doing most of the damage. This led to a dramatic finale with Whangarei Boys’ needing to make one run to even the score on the last ball only for Keri to take a wicket and secure the title.

Hart emphasised the victory came on the back of some tight bowling and impressive fielding.

The Keri High side now expects to be part of a two week T20 series (draw still to be confirmed), with all domestic cricket needing to be over by March 24. ■