At the National tournament held in Lincoln, on the outskirts of Christchurch early December 2015, Westlake came agonisingly close to winning their first National title. Westlake Boys’ High School and Hutt International finished 1st equal after the round-robin. Although Westlake had beaten Hutt International during the tournament, Hutt’s better net run-rate secured them the title under the tournament rules with Westlake runner-up, for the third time in this competition. However, this capped an outstanding year for Westlake having won Auckland’s one day and two day competitions with only two losses in the calendar year.
Westlake bowler Ross ter Braak was named in New Zealand’s 2016 Under-19s World Cup squad and is currently in Dubai for a preparatory Tri-Series against Australia and Pakistan, before travelling to the Under-19s World Cup Bangladesh. Ross follows in the footsteps of Westlakers Carl, Brad and Craig Cachopa, James Fuller and Robbie O’Donnell who have all represented New Zealand at Under-19 level.
Summary of the National Tournament games:
Game 1 – Westlake Boys’ High School 1st XI v Palmerston North Boys’ High School 1st XI
After winning the toss at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln Palmerston North Boys High School elected to bat on a crisp Lincoln morning. After a quick start Westlake was able to pull Palmerston North back through tight bowling from spinners Benjamin Beecroft and William O’Donnell. Westlake were able to maintain the pressure in the field with two run-outs and wickets fell regularly including two late wickets for Keegan Russell (2/29) with the innings coming to a close at 200/8.
The Westlake chase began poorly with the top order wickets falling regularly to have Westlake at 50-6. Ryan Doubell (53) batting at six with support from Ryan Quinn (17) batting at eight gave Westlake some hope with a partnership of 70 until both fell and the Westlake’s innings was soon wrapped up the 39th over, 62 runs short of the target.
Game 2 – Westlake Boys’ High School 1st XI v Otago Boys’ High School 1st XI
Westlake began Day 2 needing a win to keep their hopes alive. Otago Boys won the toss and batted first on Lincoln Green. The pick of the Westlake bowlers were Ross ter Braak (2/24). Angus McKenzie(2/36) and Ryan Doubell (2/21)with two wickets each as Otago finished on 218/7 in 50 overs.
Westlake were 69-3 in the 18th over, before Angus Mckenzie (40) and Benjamin Beecroft consolidated the innings with Benjamin Beecroft (82no) scoring the winning run on the second to last ball of the innings.
Game 3 – Westlake Boys’ High School 1st XI v Hutt International 1st XI
Westlake’s skipper lost his third toss and the only unbeaten side in the tournament, Hutt International, chose to bat. Westlake put in their best bowling and fielding performance of the tournament to date. The opening bowlers, Ross Ter braak and Keegan Russell took early wickets and restricted the scoring. The Westlake spinners O’Donnell (2/31), Beecroft (3/25) and Sleep with support from seamer Ryan Doubell were on top through-out the innings. Keegan Russell took two late wickets to finish with 3-33 with Hutt being bowled out in the 50th over for 172.
Westlake started well with both openers getting underway and Angus Mckenzie batting at three compiled a positive 30. The Hutt spinners turned the screws on the Westlake batting line-up and wickets fell regularly to leave Captain William O’Donnell to be joined by Ross ter braak at 161/8 in the 47th over needing a further twelve runs. The game went to the wire with William O’Donnell (46*) hitting the winning four off the second ball of the 50th over. The tournament was now wide open again with four teams having a loss each and two days left.
Game 4 – Westlake Boys’ High School 1st XI v Christchurch Boys’ High School 1st XI
Westlake lost their fourth toss and were asked to field against Christchurch Boys’ High School who have won this tournament for the last three years.
The Westlake bowling and fielding was again top notch with wickets falling regularly and run scoring for the Christchurch batsmen proving difficult. Angus Mckenzie took two top order wickets and a further two at the end of the innings to finish with 4-24. Spinners William O’Donnell (2-37) and Benjamin Beecroft (2-8) maintained the pressure through the innings. CBHS were bowled out for 161 in 46.5 overs leaving Westlake with their lowest run chase of the tournament.
Westlake lost two early wickets until opener Wesley Sleep was joined by William O’Donnell. Sleep (63*) and O’Donnell (52) gradually imposed themselves on the Christchurch bowlers combining for a 113 run partnership to take Westlake close to the target with the winning runs being scored in the 45th over.
Game 5 – Westlake Boys’ High School 1st XI vs Hamilton Boys’ High School 1st XI
Westlake won their first toss of the week and chose to bat first on a very windy Lincoln day. Solid innings from both opener Wesley Sleep (68) and William O’Donnell (34) created a foundation for Benjamin Beecroft (24) and Ryan Quinn (26) to score quickly with Westlake finishing on 219/9 in 50 overs.
Hamilton struggled to get going with the loss of two early wickets to Angus Mckenzie. The spin bowlers O’Donnell and Sleep bowled very tightly to constrain the Hamilton batsmen through the middle overs. Westlake’s bowling unit ensured Hamilton were always off the pace with Hamilton ending at 198 all out in 50 overs, giving Westlake a win by 21 runs. Angus Mckenzie took the final three wickets to end with 5-38.