St Pat's on a quest for more upsets

BY PENNY MILES

They feel as though they are the minnows but St Pat's Silverstream first XI are ready to rattle the big fish at the Gillette Cup top-eight finals in Palmerston North next week.

The team were shock qualifiers after they beat a star-studded Wellington College side in March during the Wellington zone knock-out final.

At that point the year took on a different focus, according to St Pat's captain Brandon Tai.

"It was pretty special beating a school like Wellington College because they've got some pretty big names," Tai said.

"Just a small school like Silverstream, we're very proud to represent Wellington."

St Pat's have qualified only twice before for the national finals played in the one-day form of the game. Their coach and St Pat's old boy, Chris Gorrie, captained the side in 2006 when they finished fifth. In Silverstream's other appearance, in 1996, they took home the silverware.

Gorrie said his own experience of playing Gillette Cup had helped him prepare the current side.

"It's making sure that they make use of the opportunity," Gorrie said. "They may not get to it again, and a lot of these guys are young. So it's a matter of not being overwhelmed by the competition and the situation."

Gorrie expects Christchurch Boys' High School, Hamilton Boys' High School and Auckland's Westlake Boys' High School to be the strongest teams. He'd be happy if his side could knock over at least one of the big schools.

"If everything clicks, there's no reason why we can't do really well," Gorrie said.

"It's a matter of if we can get all three, our batting, bowling and fielding to click, then we'll do really well."

The St Pat's side has age-group representatives including batsmen Henry Walsh, Ben Rammell and Sam Dean who play for the Wellington under 17s.

Lachlan Donnelly is the side's main strike bowler, while young leg spinner Tom Foster has taken 16 wickets in five premier school grade games. Captain Tai opens the bowling. Foster is in the Wellington under-16 rep team.

The occasion has not been lost on the St Pat's supporters. A large group of pupils and old boys are expected to flock to Palmerston North ready to cheer.

"We'll definitely have a few supporters. Quite a few of the guys from school are coming up, and even some of my mates and guys older than that as well. We should have a good fan base," Gorrie said.

St Pat's face Christchurch Boys' High School in the opening round on Thursday.

GILLETTE CUP

New Zealand secondary schools cricket finals, December 10 - 13, Palmerston North.

Top eight finals for the prestigious one-day competition:

* Begins as a knock-out competition until the top school in each of six regional zones is determined.

* Each regional zone winner qualifies for the final. Northern and Central Districts have two finalists as their regions have the most entries.

* Zones follow domestic cricket boundaries: Northern Districts (two teams), Auckland, Central Districts (two
teams), Wellington, Canterbury, Otago.

* First played in 1990 when Palmerston North Boys' High School were inaugural champions.

* Christchurch Boys' High School and Hamilton Boys' High School hold the record for the most titles. Both schools have won three titles.

* Played each December at Palmerston North's Fitzherbert and Manawaroa Parks.

GILLETTE CUP CHAMPIONS

2000: Auckland Grammar School

2001: Wellington College

2002: Hamilton Boys' High School

2003: Hamilton Boys' High School

2004: Palmerston North Boys' High School and King's College (tied)

2005: Christchurch Boys' High School and Tauranga Boys' College (tied)

2006: Christchurch Boys' High School and King's College (tied)

2007: Christchurch Boys' High School

2008: Hamilton Boys' High School

TEAMS QUALIFIED FOR THE 2009 FINALS

* Whangarei Boys' High School (Northern Districts)

* Hamilton Boys' High School (Northern Districts)

* Westlake Boys' High School (Auckland)

* New Plymouth Boys' High School (Central Districts)

* Palmerston North Boys' High School (Central Districts)

* St Pat's Silverstream (Wellington)

* Christchurch Boys' High School (Canterbury)

* Otago Boys' High School (Otago)

ROAD TO THE FINALS

Wellington zone winner:

St Pat's Silverstream b Wellington College
St Pat's Silverstream b Scots College
St Pat's Silverstream b Hutt Valley High School

St Pat's Silverstream 1st XI team

Brandon Tai (captain)
Sam Dean
Tom Foster
Jimmy van Dissen
Vincent Ringrose
Matthew Richardson
Michael Hammond
Matt Poole
Lachlan Donnelly
James Renshaw
Henry Walsh
Ben Rammell
Coach: Chris Gorrie

- © Fairfax NZ News