Cracking cricket conquests
Northcote College’s cricket boys 1st XI have had a trio of consecutive wins in recent weeks.
Saturday 11 March 2023 – v Liston College
The 1st XI Boys Cricket team were looking for their third win in a row when they played Liston College 1st XI on Saturday, March 11 at Northcote.
Winning the toss and batting first Northcote raced to 80 in only the 10th over with captain Shivam Nair scoring 57 off only 39 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Liston fought back strongly after dismissing Shiv, to bowl Northcote out for 147 after 34 overs. Aidan Smedley (12BRD) and Krish Nair (12CE) who both made 23 were the only other batsmen to make double figures.
However this total proved more than enough as a brilliant spell of fast bowling from Northcote's spearhead bowler Thanisk Allam destroyed the Liston top order. Thanishk took 5 for 9 off 5.1 overs, and was well supported by Rahil Nathoo (11BNF), 2 for 6 off 2 overs, Luca Manga (12SVR), 2 for 7 off 3 overs and Aidan Smedley 1 for 11 off four overs, as Liston were dismissed for 54 off 20.1 overs. A win to Northcote College by 93 runs.
All the best to the team as they travel to Western Springs on Saturday, March 18 to take on Western Springs College 1st XI, seeking their 4th win in a row.
In further good news, Shivam Nair made his Auckland debut today, Sunday March 12, playing for the Development Team against Northern Districts. Congratulations to Shivam on this huge achievement.
Saturday 4 March 2023 – v Orewa College
The 1st XI Boys Cricket team followed their emphatic win over win last Thursday over Pakuranga College 1st XI by travelling to Orewa College on Saturday to play the Orewa College 1st XI. This has not been a happy hunting ground in recent years. On Saturday this changed emphatically.
Batting first Northcote made 285 - 4 off their 40 overs. Shivam Nair (13DOW) continued his incredible running scoring form, making 158 off 105 balls with 13 fours and 6 sixes. He was very well supported by Aidan Smedley (12BRD) who made 45 (run out) in an opening partnership of 134, and Ricco Howarth (11PRB) who made 55 not out in a partnership of 113.
Chasing this huge total proved far too much pressure for Orewa who were bundled out for only 69 off 24.5 overs. The wickets were shared evenly by the bowling attack.
Aidan Smedley (12BRD) 3 for 13 off 4 overs, Shivam Nair (13DOW) 2 for 4 off 1.5 overs, Liam Hines (11PRB) 2 for 5 off 3 overs, Oscar Tyrrell (12SVR) 1 for 2 off 2 overs, Jared Stubbs (11CAN) 1 for 10 off 3 overs and Rahil Nathoo (11BNF) 1 for 11 off 3 overs.
A thumping win by 216 runs. An excellent couple of days.
Thursday 2 March 2023 – v Pakuranga College
The 1st XI Cricket Boys had an excellent win yesterday. They played a previously postponed match against Pakuranga College 1st XI at Onewa Domain. Pakuranga won the toss and batted first, but our boys bowled them out for 85 in the 28th over, Luca Manga (12SVR) took 3 for 23 off 6 overs, his best figures for the 1st XI. Thanisk Allam (13DOR) with 2 for 16 off 7 overs, Aidan Smedley (12BRD) 1 for 14 off 7 overs, Oscar Tyrrell (12SVR) 1 for 14 off 4 overs and Rahil Nathoo (11BNF) 1 for 9 off 2 overs, all gave excellent support. The target of 86 was easily reached with our 1st XI making 89 for 1, taking only 14.4 overs. Aidan Smedley (12BRD) top scored with 31 not out, Shivam Nair (13DOW) made 24 and Krish Nair (12CE) made 18 not out.
– Match reports by Paul Hewson, Northcote College Director of Sport
– Photos by Ruth Jackson
