16 run victory to King’s
At 34 without loss after 10 overs, it looked like the King’s batsmen had both overcome early tension and were settling in to build a resolute foundation. Nelson College’s change bowler added a bit of venom to the attack and the session after drinks became a procession of grumpy batsmen returning to the sheds. The scoreboard showed 55 runs for 2 wickets at the first drinks break but it soon became 79 for 5 in the 23rd over and this was cataclysmic as all the recognised batsmen had been sent packing by an impressive Nelson College attack.
Mitchell Nash was beginning to find his groove and two boundaries in the 29th over by the recently announced Marsden prefect took the score to 98 for 6 in the 30th over. The spinners started placing a strangle-hold on the lower order batsmen who did not have the required skill to respond. Mitchell Nash departed for a well-grafted 24 off 60 balls but gave his wicket away tamely after all the hard work he had done earlier. William St John's 12 runs and not much from the tail saw King’s all out for a woeful 126 with many overs left.
Nelson College was looking comfortable at 30 for 1 in 13 overs at lunch. Scott Johnston and Toby Baker bowled, which made life uncomfortable for the batsmen, but with such a small target they did not need to take risks. Some special bowling was needed and Oscar Shepperson ripped through the Nelson middle order with a dogged spell of 10 overs on the trot. He was making life so difficult for the opposition that the captain could not take him out of the attack. Dropped catches did an injustice to the effort he was putting in to his bowling but good support from William St John saw more wickets fall. Nelson’s danger man Harden was still there though, had had two lives off his cousin (yes!) Oscar Shepperson's bowling and was starting to close out the game for the boys from Tasman.
Drinks was taken at 97 for 5 after 34 overs and Nelson had the match in their hands. Some tough words from assistant coach Cameron Gibbons and a bowling change earned King’s the big wicket which finally turned the game in our favour as the dangerous Harden was bowled by a beaut from Scott Johnston. Nelson at 97 for 6 were now in disarray but still held on resolutely. Clever and disciplined bowling from Toby Baker and William St John closed out the game for King’s – victory by 16 runs.
What a battle!
Mitchell Nash 24 runs, Hamish McLean 19 runs and Callum Douglas 16 runs.
Scott Johnston 2 for 13
Toby Baker 2 for 21
William St John 4 for 23
Oscar Shepperson 2 for 28
