HIBS set to fire after Brisbane warmup

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

HOWZAT: Hutt International Boys' opening bowler Iain McPeake has hit hot form in the pre-season.

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Hutt International Boys' School are shaping up as the team to beat for the CSW one-day title following their unbeaten pre-season tour to Brisbane.

HIBS coach Paul Brennan said their six-match tour this month acted as an ideal preparation for the Wellington premier competition. His side leads the standings and has already targeted the December schools final.

St Pat's Silverstream, in second, Hutt Valley High School, third, and mid-ranked St Pat's Town have all signalled their intention to be in the title match. Defending champions Wellington College 2nd XI start as cellar dwellers.

The HIBS coach singled out Iain McPeake, Brett Johnson and Bradley Chin as pivotal contributors. All three boys displayed improved form in the Brisbane heat.

McPeake, also the school's hockey captain, consistently smashed quick runs at the tail end of the batting order. He blasted six sixes against Brisbane Boys' Grammar on his way to 65 off 42. McPeake opens the bowling for HIBS as a right arm pace bowler.

Year 10 student Johnson's leg spin was too hot for the Brisbane players. He grabbed one five-wicket bag, and also displayed all-rounder potential with two half centuries.

Chin, who comes in at No 4 in the batting order scored 113 against Brisbane's Church Grammar. Chin is a useful inswing bowler in the HIBS attack.

HIBS scored a tour-best total with the bat of 318 against Church Grammar and Brennan is confident his side are ready for the one-day game.

"The one-day games tend to be more enjoyable because of the result at the end of the game," he said.

Wellington College 2nd XI have appointed former England rugby player Chris Martin as their coach. Martin played nine years at fullback for Bath and had four caps for England from 1985.

St Pat's Town have Wellington rep players in captain and offspin bowler Sean O'Connor and opening bowler Josh Cuttance.

Their coach Mike L'Estrange said handsome contributions are expected from batsmen Callum Gill and Jordan McDermott.

"We are in a privileged position where we have a very experienced group of guys," L'Estrange said.

St Pat's Silverstream will combine the competition with their preparations for the Gillette Cup. Strike bowler Lachlan Donnelly led Silverstream to their huge upset win over Wellington College 1st XI in the Gillette regional final in March and will be ready to pounce.

Opening batsman and brilliant fieldsman Sam Dean, key wicket-taker James Renshaw and medium-fast bowler Brandon Tai are all primed for Silverstream. Tai will lead the side. Ben Rammell is another promising batsman.

"We've pretty much had the whole team stay together," said Silverstream coach Chris Gorrie.

There are four more weeks of one-day games with the final to be held in the first week of December.

Weather is likely to affect the results. The draw for last weekend's games that were missed because of rain favoured some sides more than others.

St Pat's Silverstream and HIBS were to have met, and a loss for either in the top-of-the-table clash would have counted. St Pat's Town had hoped to pick up points against Hutt Valley High School. Saturday's draw: Hutt Valley High School v Wgtn College 2, St Pat's Town v St Pat's Silverstream, HIBS v Kapiti.

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