Tuesday, 09 March 2010
TRIDENT High School’s first XI cricket team came within four runs of a major upset in the Western Bay reserve competition on Saturday.
Reigning champions and table-toppers Papamoa batted first at Rex Morpeth Park.
And the Trident bowlers removed both openers early, but the visitors recovered to reach 100 in the 20th over.
Trident newcomer Mayanka Wickramanay-ake turned the game on its head taking four wickets in a six over spell as Papamoa were bundled out for 155 in the 36th over.
Matt Purdy had another good game with the ball taking 1-27 while Wickramanayake ended up with 4-26.
In reply Trident were in trouble with both openers removed without scoring, however a fine performance by Ruan Simenson supported by Pip Thickpenny and Darryl Clark had the Trident team in reach of victory.
Simenson top scored with 81 in a fine innings with some controlled straight hitting. His removal signalled a revival for the Papamoa team and the return of their opening bowler had him power through the Trident tail to finish with 6-35.
The last two Trident batsmen needed 15 runs for victory. Tom Casey made a valiant attempt but was dismissed for 10 while Udara Wickramanayake was unbeaten on seven and Trident finished at 152 all out.