The Rector’s Gamble - A Piece of PNBHS Cricketing History

During the 36th over of the Gillette Cup NZSS Cricket Final in 1990, Palmerston North Boys’ High School v Otago Boys’ High School, PNBHS Rector David Syms and local parent Robert Anderson (who went on to be an international cricket umpire), the father of Nick Anderson, were strolling around the boundary together. The game was “evenly” poised with Otago 150 for 3, chasing 203 runs to win. Mr Anderson turned to the Rector and asked, “Do you think we can win from here?” To which the Rector replied, “No!” Mr Anderson dug into his pocket and pulled out a 50c piece and said, “I’ll bet you 50c we will win. What have you got?” The Rector dug a 20c piece out of his pocket. Mr Anderson says “Right, the winner takes all!” PNBHS won a close game by 11 runs, restricting Otago to 191 for 9. To preserve the memory of the bet and to remind Mr Syms that he should never have doubted his team, Mr Anderson crafted the “Rector’s Gamble” trophy from a piece of rimu left over from making his front doorstep. The Rector’s Gamble still sits on the bookshelf in the Rector’s Office.