Cricket: Young(er) brother guides Old Boys home in final

Will Johnston

Photo: Rupert Young brought up a tonne for New Plymouth Old Boys in the premier two-day final at the weekend. Photo by Mike Mills. 

A heroic century by New Plymouth Old Boys batter Rupert Young helped guide his team to victory in the Expert Turf-sponsored Taranaki two-day club final at Pukekura Park on Sunday.

Batting at three, Young, the younger brother of Blackcap Will Young, scored 117 as Old Boys finished with 312/5 in the second innings of the match to surpass New Plymouth Marist’s 301.

On day three, the captains shook hands for Old Boys to claim their first championship of the season and the club’s 23rd title in 43 years.

Young and opener Oli Burbidge, 91, formed a formidable partnership after fellow opener Jack Parker was dismissed early without scoring.

Play was delayed by an hour on all three days which meant the two teams could only manage an innings each. It was a perfect example of why the final is played over three days to encourage a result. 

Old Boys won the toss on Friday, which was a wise decision looking at the green pitch. Ben Frewin picked up opener Michael Blanks up early for one on the way to a five-wicket haul of 5-66 off 28.4 overs.

Middle order batter Daniel Bernet scored a diligent 118 off 280 deliveries, including 16 fours and two sixes, while the majority of the team contributed with positive starts.

Frewin bagged the wicket of Bernet in the end and Jarrod Ritson picked up 3-60 off 23 overs in an economical display. Jordan Gard also bowled well for Old Boys only giving away 63 runs from his 24 overs, including nine maidens, without a wicket.

Veteran player Jamie Watkins even rolled the arm over going for six off a solitary over.

In the second innings, Marist struggled to pick up wickets, especially early on in the innings. Young and Burbidge powered 13 fours each, with the latter scoring three sixes.

Most of the work was done when Young was dismissed by spinner Kurt Leuthart. Jack Southern claimed 2/62 off his 23 overs.

Mattie Thomas had the final say with a boundary to reach 43 not out before the captain’s shook hands.

A full scorecard can be found here: https://www.playhq.com/new-zealand-cricket/org/taranaki-cricket-association/senior-club-summer-202324/expert-turf-senior-men-premier-2-day/game-centre/d077f7ff?fbclid=IwAR0dJh8tnmWXBg1FnPSNTXN2Lg7u9-O_mmqwx6-bPX8K4l5McEUQvwIntaM