SBHS happy as underdogs

BY LOGAN SAVORY

If A bookie eyed up the Southland club cricket final tomorrow Marist would undoubtedly be sent out very short-priced favourites in their quest to beat Southland Boys' High School.

Marist have five Southland Hawke Cup representatives to the school team's one, and won both encounters between the two teams in round-robin play this season.

Marist also won the title just two years ago, while the pupils have never had their hands on it.

Everything points to Marist backing up their prize for being round-robin series victors with a victory in the decider tomorrow.

However, the well-performed pupils aren't fretting about those expectations.

In fact, they are more than happy to head into the game with little pressure on their shoulders.

Murray Brown – who joined Kevin Burns to take over as coaches of the Southland Boys first XI this season – said yesterday the original goal for the club season was to make the semifinals.

The goal was achieved with plenty of room to spare as they won nine of their 12 round-robin games to finish the round-robin second and then advanced to the final when their semifinal showdown with Metro was abandoned last weekend because of wet weather.

The march towards the final this season has been even more impressive considering last year they finished second to last in the one-day club competition and were beaten by Gore High School in the Southland final of the Gillette Cup schools competition.

Brown said the progress that has been made this season had encouraged both himself and Burns.

"They probably under-performed a bit last year, but I think they have matured this season, both physically and mentally. They're still growing and it is a work in progress but we are happy with how they've played."

About half of the 15-man squad Brown and Burns have run with this season will return next season, which is encouraging.

One of those is Hamish O'Brien, but unfortunately the wicketkeeper and handy middle-order batsman will miss tomorrow's final because of injury.

Captain George Mulvey also has a back strain but it is hoped he will still be able to play in the final.

Following tomorrow's club final, the Southland Boys' High School first XI will head to Dunedin to play Otago Boys' High School in the next round of the national Gillette Cup schools competition.

On Wednesday the Invercargill school beat Gore High in this year's Southland final.

Gore High scored 187 for six batting first with Reuben Prattley – who ironically will play for Marist in the final on Saturday – topscoring for his team with a knock of 59.

In reply, Southland Boys' High School passed the total three down in the 38th over.

The in-form opening partnership combination of Henry Burns and Jonty Brown paved the way for the win, with Burns scoring 48 and Brown anunbeaten 84.

THE FORECAST

Some rain is expected tomorrow but don't expect a repeat of the semifinals day last Saturday when the games wereabandoned. The rain is expected to clear.If t doesn't Marist will be crowned 2009-10 one-day champions because they were the top qualifiers.

- © Fairfax NZ News