The two secondary school sides stole the headlines in Taranaki premier grade cricket on Saturday.
New Plymouth Boys' High School scored an outright win over Stratford in Stratford, while Francis Douglas Memorial College caught everyone by surprise by the ease with which they routed New Plymouth Marist United to claim first innings points.
Sent into bat, Marist were rolled for 50-9 – effectively all out as fast bowler Josh Barrett was late arriving because of work commitments.
Only three Marist batsmen made it to double figures, with three others dismissed for ducks with the innings lasting only 17 overs. Seven of the dismissals were catches, with wicketkeeper Daniel Bernet grabbing five. Cameron Meads was the pick of the bowlers with 4-12.
Central Districts opener Peter Ingram, playing his first match since an ankle injury ruled him out the Stags last Twenty20 game and with Stags' teammate Michael Mason looking on, led the charge with a quickfire 48 as the school side powered their way to 210-8 declared at tea.
Another to score 48 was Sam Fastier, with 29s from Ryan Watson and Kurt Leuthart and a hard-hit 33 by Bernet.
Marist put up a little more resistance in their second innings, making it through to 97-4 before the match ended.
Stratford claimed first innings points against Boys' High continuing on from 33-3 overnight to finish on 147 – a lead of 12.
Boys' High opener Mason Farrant made Stratford pay after being dropped in his 20s, going on to score 94 including 13 fours and one six as the school side made 202.
Needing 191 to win off 31 overs, Stratford slumped from 100-6 to all out for 166 with right-arm offspinner Robert Boot doing all the damage with 6-39 including a hat-trick.
Woodleigh picked up first innings points in a low-scoring match at Inglewood's Karo Park.
After no play of day one, Woodleigh made 119 thanks mainly to handy contributions from Moriz Hartmann 37 and Phillip Barraclough 23. Pick of the Inglewood bowlers was Jason Dombroski with 4-25.
Inglewood were handily placed at 94-8 to claim first innings points, but were eventually dismissed for 113. Hayden Whiting snared six wickets for 35, while Rob Mcleod finished with 3-27.
The game between Hawera and New Plymouth Old Boys ended without a ball being bowled, with no play the previous weekend.
Article Supplied by Taranaki Daily News; www.taranakidailynews.co.nz