Central Otago’s top cricketers in Year 7 and 8 have returned from the South Island Primary School Tournament (SIPST) in Christchurch last week, with one team winning the cup and another taking second place in the Shield competition.

Two teams competed in the tournament across two competitions - the Shield and the Cup. 

Otago Country District includes players from Central Otago, Queenstown-Lakes and South Otago.

The teams have returned from the competition, which included 16 teams from across the South island. 

The Otago Country Cricket Association’s Adrian Morgan says the whole organisation is extremely proud of the Primary School boys teams who competed in the tournament, held in Rangiora and Lincoln. 

“The boys played in 16 games in total and only lost one game,” Adrian says. “We received feedback from other districts and accommodation providers that the boys were a great bunch of kids.” 

Otago Country won the Jack Newman Cup, and was coached by Sandy Wilson from Cromwell. 

In the final, Country batted first and put on 184/8 with Hugo Bogue from Queenstown top scoring with 64 and Jack O’Connor from Alexandra scoring a quick 28.

Canterbury were bowled out for 118 with Harley Turnbull (Alexandra) taking 3 for 8 and Jack Scott (Wanaka) 2 for 17.

Canterbury were bowled out for 118 with Harley Turnbull taking 3 for 8 and Jack Scott 2 for 17.

Sandy says the team were fantastic, and “played with a lot of heart”. 

“Different kids stepped up at key moments in the tournament,” he says. 

“The result is great, I feel really happy for the team to have performed so well for the week. 

“They were fantastic off the field. A great bunch of kids.”

The Cup squad was made up of Oscar Crowe, Richie Cavanagh, Alfie Omelvena-Flame, Hugo Bogue, Ethan McSkimming, Jack O'Connor, Jack Scott, Baxter Dimond, Angus O'Neill, Billy Wilson and Harley Turnbull.

The Otago Country Cricket Association Jack Newman Cup team. 

In the Shield, Otago Country took out a well-earned second place.

Otago Country Shield team Coach Karl McDiarmid says he was “gifted 10 very well disciplined and passionate young cricketers”. 

“The tournament’s format was two games of T20 for the first three days and from this you got your placings for the playoffs. 

“We won all six games which made us top qualifiers. 

“From here we played the fourth qualifier on Thursday, this was a 40-over game. 

“We won this. To the final we came up against Christchurch Black, which we had beaten on the first day, but this time we came off second best.”

Canterbury scored 210/7 off their 40 overs (Binath Wijerathna 2 for 28, Joshua Ede 2 for 24 and Toby Duncan 2 for 28). 

In reply, Country were 100/1 but were bowled out for 160, with Joey Jones scoring 38 not out, Angus McDiarmid 34, Tony Poplawski 22 and Harry Walker-Leach 21. 

That was the team’s only loss of the tournament which has been a great learning experience for the boys." 

Three standout performers: (from left to right) Toby Poplawski (3-7 off 3 overs), Angus McDiarmid (56 off 54 balls in semi-final), and Toby Duncan (4-9 off 3 overs). Photo contributed. 

Coach Karl McDiarmid says he is very pleased with how the team performed.

“Boys all played well and the strength of the team was the fact that they all worked as a team and all got on well together. 

“We had a great week away and all learnt a lot and will take a lot from this tournament.”

Harry Walker-Leach, Joshua Ede, Angus McDiarmid, Toby Duncan, Connor Bruce, Benath Wijerathra, Senath Wijerathra, Toby Gully, Toby Poplauski, and Joey Jones made up the Shield squad. 

Toby Poplawski’s 3-7 off 3 overs, Angus McDiarmid’s 56 off 54 balls in the semi-final, and Toby Duncan’s 4-9 off 3 overs were the standout figures for the squad over the course of the competition. 

“Cricket in Central seems to be strong and running well at the moment,” Karl says. 

Both tournaments were run together, with the Shield competition in the Lincoln area and the Cup Competition based in Rangiora.

The tournament will be held in Central Otago next year. 

Photos courtesy Otago Country Cricket Association. 

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