St Paul's lost the toss and were asked to bat against an accurate and sharp Whangarei opening attack. St Paul's were rocked losing big wickets in the 1st and 3rd overs to catches behind as the batsmen struggled to get established. At 23 for 4 the innings was teetering as Jacob Robb joined Chris Swanson to put on a determined 30 in difficult conditions, before Swanson was caught at mid off for 26. Robb continued to fight hard and received some support from Josh Malpas with 18 as that pair put on another 30. When Robb was out for 22, the innings spluttered to an end at 103 from 43 overs.
The St Paul's bowlers came out fired up and made life equally tough for the Whangarei top order to have them reeling at 15 for 3. A war of attrition developed as Whangarei defended stoutly against tight and demanding bowling as St Paul's slowly chipped wickets out through 2 more to Bede Higgins, one to Scott Finlayson and a brilliant run out by Sam Holmes. At 81 for 7 the game was in the balance but the Whangarei lower order held their nerve and slowly ground out the victory in the 42nd over. Josh Malpas 2 for 16 from 10 and Bede Higgins 2 for 13 from 7 had the best figures in a determined fielding effort.
Unfortunately it was not to be St Paul’s day and the team must now pick themselves up quickly for the Waikato Secondary Schools final this Saturday against St Peter’s.
