Rookie cricketers on the cusp of glory
A scratch side of enthusiastic cricketers (some of who have played the game for the first time this season) have found themselves in the final of their league. Tom Rowland reports.
Sometimes, just every so often, the “other guys” get their moment of fame in the sporting world.
Such is the case with the Hamilton Boys’ High School’s eighth XI cricket team. That is correct, not the first XI, but the eighth.
The “glorious eighth” are looking to cap off a romping season with a final win at Jansen Park.
What started as a bunch of students looking to try one of the many sports available to them at the school, has now led to an near-incredible run of results.
The HBHS 8th are yet to suffer a loss this season and co-captain and wicket keeper Dylan Mahaffey says it has all come down to the school’s “have a go attitude”.
“Half the team members have not played cricket before, but the school gives us the chance to try different sports,” Dylan says.
“It’s cool to see our friends we wouldn’t expect to play these types of sports actually get involved and play a part in our great season.”
HBHS provides students with the chance to get involved with numerous sports and the 8th XI is just one of the many teams that the school puts out throughout the various codes.
The school continues to compete at a high standard in a variety of sports and encourages its students to take up a co-curricular activity alongside academic pursuits.
“It’s just a fun experience, it provides us with a break from learning and at the end of the day it creates good banter between our friends.”
The 8th XI will look to end a season of highs against St Peters. Showdown is at Jansen Park, this weekend, weather permitting.
