It was a fine result for our King’s First XI Cricket team on Saturday 17 March, whose opponents Westlake Boys High School provided tough competition but in the end, could not stop King’s from claiming their spot in the finals next weekend.
Muhammad Abbas (Year 10, Marsden), on debut, was in scintillating form as he reduced Westlake Boys High School to 2 for 3 in the 4th over. Hayden Dickson (Year 13, Averill) also played well from the other end and caused the visitors to claim less than 2 runs per over for almost their entire innings.
Tom Simmonds (Year 13, Major), George Cory-Wright (Year 13, School) and the spin duo of Hugo Hill (Year 12, Major) and Cory Dickson (Year 11, Averill) all joined in the act to maintain a lead on the game.
King's bowled a total of 15 maiden overs, but two mini-partnerships helped the visitors recover to post a three-figure score.
“The King's top order fared slightly better than their opponents, but a few poor decisions gave Westlake Boys High School hope,” says First XI Cricket Manager Mahendra Naidoo. “This hope grew monumentally in the 22nd over when Dimithri Gallage (Year 11, Peart) was run-out, especially as he was the most comfortable batsman at that stage. At 84 for 8, Westlake had the game in their grasp and were going for the win.”
“Meanwhile, William Paranthoiene (Year 13, Marsden) was joined by the experienced Hayden Dickson whose maturity, calmness and intensity have improved a great deal this year.”
Together this pair added the 35 runs needed for victory, whilst showing the necessary composure to take King's into the final against Auckland Grammar School next week.
Key contributions:
H Dickson 9-1-31-1
M Abbas 4-2-8-3
T Simmonds 9-4-20-2
G Cory-Wright 6-2-9-0
H Hill 10-3-16-1
C Dickson 10-3-14-1
D Gallage 23
W Paranthioene 38 not out
H Dickson 18 not out
Debut: M Abbas
