St. Pat’s Silverstream first XI set for Cup

CRICKET WELLINGTON MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 2 December 2009

St. Pat’s Silverstream first XI set for Gillette Cup

The St. Pat’s Silverstream first XI is representing the Wellington region in this year’s 20th running of the prestigious Gillette Cup competition in Palmerston North next week.

The St Pat’s team has only been to the Gillette Cup twice before in 2006 and 1996 when they took home the silverware. They are hoping to repeat the performance from 14 years ago and win the competition.

St Pat’s Coach Bill Hammond says the team has worked hard to make it to this year’s final, beating tough competition in the form of Wellington College, a formidable team that has been part of the Gillette Cup finals a number of times. “It’s a huge coup for these boys going up there and they realise that,” Hammond said.  “I think it was a bit of a surprise for us. Saying that we’ve always believed we have the right people who could do the business.”

The St Pat’s team is made up of a number of age group representatives. Batsman Henry Welsh is a Wellington under 15 representative, while Ben Rammell and Sam Dean play in the under 17 side. The bowling attack is spearheaded by Captain Brandon Tai and is supported by “clever” leg spinner Tom Foster.

Hammond said the team is quietly confident about the Gillette Cup finals; however he has one major concern. “I’m praying to the weather gods that we get some good weather because recently it has just been atrocious!”

St Pat’s Silverstream face Christchurch Boys’ High School in the opening round on December 10.

Gillette Cup fact file

The competition runs between December 10 and 13 in Palmerston North
Eight teams from around the country are competing. These include:
St Pat’s Silverstream
Christchurch Boys’ High School
Otago Boys High School
Palmerston North Boys’ High School
Westlake Boys’ High School
New Plymouth Boys’ High School
Hamilton Boys’ High School
Whangarei Boys’ High School
Palmerston North Boys’ High School will be making a record 12th appearance in the tournament
Otago Boys’ High School is making its 10th appearance
The competition was first launched in 1990
201 schools were entered in the 2009 competition
14 BLACKCAPS have played in the Gillette Cup finals.
  

ENDS

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