Result v University

The team put in a meritorious performance, the best performance of the season, in a thrilling game to tie with University on the last ball.

Firstly, about University. University have three teams in Auckland's Year 6 Top 8 competition. Two of the University teams sit first and second on the ladder. The University team we played was comprised of the best boys from their three teams, some of the best boys in Auckland.

It was going to be a tough game, an excellent test, and a test of just how far the boys have developed during the course of the season.

University batted first and their batting quality was evident, but we stuck to our game and restricted them to a competitive total of 150/8 in 30 overs. Unfortunately we bowled with a wet ball and that made it tough, but the bowling was generally good in the circumstances, and while a few catches went down that was understandable given the ball. The fielding was tight, but the University boys ran very well, easily getting 20 or 30 extra runs through aggressive running.

We batted very well, and we were on top going into the last several overs, needing five or six an over with several wickets in hand. The major learning point to take away from the game is that in this situation it is not about hitting fours to win the game, it is about getting bat on ball, running aggressively and turning over the strike. We got tied down (by some good bowling) and tended to look for the "big shot".

Needing eight in the last over to win it looked just out of our reach, but needing three off the last ball to win we were gifted a run through a no ball although we had a run-out. It was chaos. One ball, two to win and the ball was edged in the air to short third man and though the fielder dropped it he recovered well. As we raced back for the second (and winning!) run the fielder gathered himself and threw in a perfect throw over the stumps. We were run out by a metre and missed the winning run, but had a tie which was a fair result.

The boys should be very proud of themselves, the improvement in their individual games and the team performance has certainly made the Convenor proud. Well done boys.

University 150/8 in 30 overs (Adrian Young 4 overs, 2-13, Angus McKenzie 4 overs, 0-13)
North Harbour 150/6 in 30 overs (Angus McKenzie 38 ret (50), Ryan Schierhout 32 ret (36), Ryan Quinn 16 (22), Jack Clothier 20 (28)