Interschool comes down to the wire
In
a tense and closely fought contest the annual summer sports exchange between Timaru Boys'
High School and St Andrew's College from Christchurch almost came down to the last ball
of the last game to decide the tie. In one of the most enthralling contests for some time
STAC took TBHSs last wicket in the 1st XI game with 3 overs to go and with Timaru needing
4 for the win. This left the tie at 3 wins apiece and with the locals rueing yet another
batting collapse in their 2nd innings.
The 1st XI cricket game had everything and both teams were in with a chance till the very
end. After a rain delayed start, St Andrew's surprisingly chose to bat and put on 72 for
the first wicket. TBHS then started to take wickets on a regular basis and STAC were
dismissed for 187. Noel Greens consistent line and length was rewarded with 6 wickets. In
reply TBHS were again guilty of too many loose shots and only Michael Hogan with an
aggressive approach was successful with 48 runs in a total of 119. STAC forced the pace
in their 2nd inning gathering runs at a quick pace to declare at 160 for 9 leaving a
target of 229 for Timaru off approximately 55 overs. Josh Dick with 5 wickets was the
highlight of Timarus bowling attack. Timaru got off to a rollicking start racing to 80
without loss after 8 overs. Michael Hogan was again the pick of the batters displaying
both aggression and control in reaching 90. From a position of strength at 120-1 TBHS
collapsed to 167-9. The game then took yet another twist as the TBHS last wicket pair of
Latham Gibb and Chris Hogan showed some of the other batsmen how to play STAC with by
playing straight, waiting for the good ball and good running between the wickets.
Unfortunately on 225 Latham Gibb spooned a catch to mid-wicket and the fight back was
over with Hogan and Gibb having put on 58 for the last wicket just 4 runs short of an
unlikely victory.
A young and inexperienced TBHS Colts cricket team were dominant from the start of their game. A good start from Josh Mehrtens and Caleb Grace was capitalised on by Matt Mckenzie who took control of the game with a powerful 86 not out in a game that was reduced to 30 overs due to STACs delayed arrival. The Colts eventually reached 176 for 6. In reply STAC struggled against some tight bowling from the local bowlers. With the three spinner approach of Will Carter, James Copland and Connor Bradley, backed up by some good fielding STAC were never in the hunt and ended up 54 run short.
The tennis players started their tie with some trepidation as they had been easily beaten
the previous year and STAC were at a similar strength. However, the boys put in a great
effort and although they eventually lost the tie 9-3 the results in a number of games
could have gone either way. Timaru started off strongly in the doubles and Timarus better
communication and teamwork came through as the doubles finished at 2 apiece. Tom and Jack
Deeley showed the way with a great win against STACs top combination. Josh Reddicliffe
and Angus Rollinson also won their match. It was in the singles that Timaru struggled
with only Jack Deeley winning. This was a great effort from a squad who were playing
minus a couple of their top seniors.
The TBHS senior touch team were easy winners in their three games taking out the first two 4-0 and the last game 4-3. The local boys had an aggressive running approach in both defence and attack that STAC struggled with. This combined with the ability to create holes in the opposition's defence led to some good tries out wide. Standouts for Timaru were James Hawkey, Jack Gibson and Henry Chamberlain in a side that is well coached by Tom Shelker and Tyrone Hill.
The TBHS volleyball team continued their great run of form with a two match win over
STAC. Both matches were won 3-0. This exchange was another stepping stone towards
National tournament for the team. The team were always going to be under pressure with a
number of key players away or playingother sports at the exchange . Younger players were
able to step up with Campbell Ross and Hamish Dewar taking their place in the senior
team. Each set was close and the experience of replacement Captain, Andrew Ross, was
instrumental in securing the wins.
Conditions at Caroline Bay were light but well suited to the Teams Racing event held in the 420 Class boats. Sailing for TBHS were skippers, Chris Tulley, Cullen LeRoy, and Alex Whytock along with their crews, James Goldingham, Rueben Hendrie and Aris Shearer. St Andrew's College was represented by skippers, Matt Morrison, Sam Lee, and Taylor Balogh along with their crews, Phoebe McGowan, Callum Entwistle and Finn Martin. The racing was close and fiercely contested with St Andrew's College being the overall winner, 4 races to 2. The highlight of the day was the number of close races in a very even day's sailing.
This was a very competitive exchange with a number of very good individual performances during the day.
| TBHS | STAC | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st XI Cricket | 119 and 225 |
187 and 160 for 9 dec Win to Stac by 3 runs. |
| Colts Cricket | 170 (win to TBHS) | 129 |
| Volleyball | 2 (win to TBHS) | 0 |
| Yachting | 2 | 4 (win to STAC) |
| Touch | 3 | 0 (win to TBHS) |
| Tennis | 3 | 9 (win to STAC) |
The exchange was drawn 3 all.
Gary Ivamy
Sports Director