Two even bowling teams squared off on a fast and hard Littlebourne track for the second home game of the year. In the end, the batting depth of the home team proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Sent in to bat the OBHS batsmen all struggled to build significant partnerships with wickets falling on a regular basis. Only Cameron McAuslan (38) compiled an innings of any substance, with several other players making starts but not continuing at the batting crease. 166 however was to prove a competitive total as the home team took the field.

Led by opening bowler Declan Su'a (4/21) all four OBHS bowlers used, maintained excellent line and length to have all of the Waitaki batsmen in trouble. Ben Lockrose (3/18) and Joe Turner (2/15) kept the pressure on and they were ably supported by some excellent fielding to see the visitors dismissed for 70.

Steady batting saw the home team comfortably placed at 59/3 at the end of the first day. Any thoughts of pushing the lead into the two hundreds was shattered by an excellent spell of bowling by Josh Heyward who took six wickets including a spectacular catch off his own bowling to dismiss Declan Su'a. With an injured Jarryd Taig not batting, OBHS finished their innings at 94/9, leaving Waitaki the challenge of scoring 191 for victory.

The local bowlers had different ideas with Cameron McAuslan and Declan Su'a both taking wickets in their opening spell. A determined innings from WBHS captain Nathan Smith (43) kept the visitors in the game until the middle of the afternoon when the run chase ended with Waitaki dismissed for 89. Ben Lockrose (4/20) did most of the damage with the ball.

SCORES

OBHS 166 and 94/9

WBHS 70 and 89

Two wins at home have set the First XI up for the challenge of away inter-schools against Christ's College

(Feb 29/March 1) and Southland Boys' (March14/15).