Red hot Devcich leads by example

A blazing century by Anton Devcich has launched his Lonestar Hamilton Boys' High School side into Hamilton club cricket's Hec Holland Plate one-day cricket final against Fraser-Tech.

Fresh from playing for the Northern Knights in the Plunket Shield, Devcich smashed his way to 131 to set up his team's massive 185-run win over Star Varsity at Galloway Park on Saturday.

HBHS will face the unbeaten Fraser-Tech in the decider on March 14 – a repeat of last season's match-up – after HBHS finished tied on six competition points with Melville, but qualified after having beaten Melville in their round robin clash.

Devcich was at the crease for just 35 overs, his innings included 17 fours and a six, and he and Mitchell Santner put on 153 for the first wicket to give their team a great platform.

The rest of the batting lineup struggled and HBHS were dismissed for 261 in the final over, but it proved more than enough as Star Varsity collapsed to be all out for 76 in just 27.2 overs, thanks to medium pacer Scott Kuggeleijn (3-23) and spinners Santner (3-1), Matt Thomas (2-12) and Joe Walker (2-24).

Devcich's innings set up the team's victory but also left him well placed for Northern Districts' next four-day game against Wellington, where he hopes to again be selected.

"In the last game (for Northern Districts) I had a couple of little technical issues that I had to sort out and just getting out there today and working through those was pretty much my main goal, just getting my balance right and that sort of stuff, and that went well so I got what I wanted out of the game, so spending time at the crease was just a bonus really, but yeah it's definitely a confidence booster for the game coming up on Tuesday," Devcich said.

There was also an extra incentive to perform well when he took the step down to club level, looking to set an example for his younger team-mates, particularly as they lead in to next month's Gillette Cup finals.

"This season I've sort of showed a bit of responsibility to teach them my trade. If I come back and play like a bit of an idiot it's not going to really teach them much so my main focus about playing with the boys is to try and teach them as much as I can while I'm there, so it's pretty important for me to come back and try and play well and set good examples," Devcich said.

Fraser-Tech made it five wins from five in the competition with a comfortable 76-run win over Old Boys.

Opener Nick Trebilcock scored his maiden century and he batted 49 overs for his well-made 102, which guided Fraser-Tech to 244-5.

The 21-year-old felt his first 50 runs were "pretty scratchy" but realised he didn't have to play too many big shots, too early on.

"I kept working hard and didn't want to get out for 20 or 30 like I have the last few seasons," Trebilcock said. "And then once I got to 50 I sort of relaxed and was able to play some shots.

"I was counting in my head down to that 100."

Tight early bowling from Fraser-Tech's Adam Flegg and James Baker set the tone in Old Boys' chase and only Cedric English, with 59, could manage any major resistance as Old Boys were dismissed for 168 in the 45th over.

Melville overcame Suburbs by two wickets to get back into winning form before the start of next weekend's two-dayers.

Suburbs were all out for 206 inside 50 overs, thanks to three wickets apiece to medium pacers Michael Dodunski and Maurice Patten.

Opener Grant Bell then made a stylish 87 and was backed up well with 64 from Dodunski.

Melville cruised to 194-3, before losing five wickets for nine runs, including a timed out dismissal, and eventually got home in the 46th over.

- © Fairfax NZ News