Old Boys cricket match v OBHS 1st XI 2024
By Gwyn Pratley | Posted: Thursday February 1, 2024
On Tuesday, 30 January 2024 the Otago Boys’ High School 1st XI played their first traditional fixture of the year against an invitational Old Boy’s XI in a 40 Over match on Littlebourne.
This year’s Old Boys side was again captained by the President of the OBHS Old Boys’ Society Gerard Finnie (1981-85). With the customary tradition of the Old Boys always batting first, the Old Boys opened proceedings with Ben McCormack (1997-01) and Shaedon Miller (2016-20). The opening pair showed plenty of early momentum with early boundaries flowing however the partnership was ended at 41 with the dismissal of Miller (19). With the fall of five further quick wickets Mark Billicliff (1990-94) 2, Hunter Kindley (2013-17) 6, Regan Finch (1993-97) 2, Ben McCormack 26 and Cam Elliott (2016-20) for 2 - meant the Old Boys had slumped to 69 for 6.
This then brought Hayden Finch (1993-94) and Barry White (2000-04) on debut for the Old Boys to the crease where they set about a salvage job. White 34 and Finch 28 laid the platform for Rhiane Smith (1989-92) to clear the fence on a couple of occasions with a quick-fire 24. Hamish Ottrey (1989-93) finished off proceedings with 15 runs in a support role that got the Old Boys through to 163 all out in the 40th and final over.
During the innings break both teams retired to the shade of the outside marquee for a light luncheon where players from both teams were able to interact within an informal atmosphere. The captains Luke Marsh and Gerard Finnie spoke briefly on the significance of this traditional fixture at Otago Boys’ High School and the value of the interactions and connections that are fostered between students both past and present on days like these.
After the interval it was back to the job at hand with the 1st XI having a chasable target on their hands. The young side showed plenty of purpose and endeavour in tackling their target early on with Ashton Hansen opening the batting scoring freely to have the 1st XI ahead of the required rate. Hansen eventually went for an entertaining 27, with the required rate now below 3 runs per over. However, the 1st XI was not able to consolidate their early upper hand. Wickets then fell at regular intervals with Rhiane Smith still proving that he still had the ball on a string – with a masterful display of swing bowling. Although there was a rear-guard action with Charlie Ottrey 18, Harry Bezett 28 and Jack Ussher 15, the 1st XI fell well short all out for 112. The pick of the Old Boys bowling were Smith, 4 Overs 4-14, White, 8 Overs 2-18 & Hayden Finch 5 Overs 1-13.
This resulted in a 51 run win to the Old Boys who in winning the match kept their winning streak in recent years intact.
In summary it was a brilliant day for all involved and special thanks must go out to the Old Boys who gave their time and support to the day so generously both on and off the playing field. A huge thank you also to our umpires this year Mr Ben Turnbull and Mr Wayne Mason as well as our scorer and Old Boys 12th man Daniel Lawrence.
If any Old Boy would like to be involved in the fixture in any capacity for 2025 please don’t hesitate to contact Mr Gwyn Pratley on his school email address [email protected] for more information about the day.
Old Boys Cricket Team 2024
- Gerard Finnie 1981-85 Captain
- Mark Billcliff 1990-94
- Cameron Elliott 2016-20
- Hayden Finch 1993-94
- Regan Finch 1993-97
- Hunter Kindley 2013-17
- Ben McCormack 1997-01
- Shaedon Miller 2016-20
- Hamish Ottrey 1989-93
- Rhiane Smith 1989-92
- Barry White 2000-04
- Daniel Lawrence 2019-23
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