Auckland One Day Cricket Champions!

The Boys’ 1st XI Cricket team has regained the RH Marryatt Cup following a comfortable victory over Auckland Grammar. The RH Marryatt Cup is played for between the two winners of pool play in the Auckland Secondary School Premier Grade to decide the one day champions. The 1st XI finished top of its group with wins over St Peter’s, Takapuna Grammar, Westlake Boys’ and King’s and a solitary loss to Sacred Heart. The near-perfect record qualified them to face Auckland Grammar, which went unbeaten through its pool.

The final was played at Melville Park in great conditions, with both sides wearing black armbands to mark the passing of New Zealand cricket legend, Martin Crowe. Auckland Grammar batted first and was quickly in trouble, with Simon Keene removing one of their openers in the first over. Simon took another wicket in his second over to have Auckland Grammar struggling at 17/2 in the third.

Three quick wickets to Damanpreet Bhatti had Auckland Grammar further under the pump at 34/5 in the 10th over, with none of their top five batters reaching double figures. Damanpreet went on to take a four wicket haul and four other bowlers, Sandeep Patel, Angus Anderson, Jimmy Webb and Conor Ansell, claimed wickets. Jonathon Low was miserly with the ball, allowing just four runs from his four overs, with two maidens. Auckland Grammar’s tail wagged to help them reach 141 all out in the 48th over.

In reply, Sandeep Patel and Conor Ansell got off to a solid start with an opening partnership of 76 before Sandeep was out for 44. Finn Allen romped to 47 from 40 balls including four fours and two sixes. Simon Keene hit the winning runs with a boundary as his first scoring shot in Saint Kentigern’s total of 143/4 in the 34th over.

Congratulations to the team and we wish them success in booking a place in the Gillette Cup!