COFFS Harbour High School are North Coast champions after winning the final of the Combined High Schools – North Coast Cricket Boys Opens Alan Davidson Shield competition.
They defeated Kingscliff High School in a thrilling regional final at Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park.
Third time was a charm for the Coffs side after losing to Kingscliff in the last two finals.
Coffs Harbour scored 5/133 from their 30 overs after opening the batting in the final.
Tom Craig top scored with 59, and Zane Guthrie finished on 34 not out.
Coffs Harbour defended their total, bowling out Kingscliff for 120 to win the North Coast title, thanks largely to Darcy Franks who had a super spell of 5-13.
Coffs Harbour High School defeated South Grafton High School in Round 2, Orara High School in the Round of 16, Grafton High School in the quarter final, and Hastings Secondary College in the semi-final, on their way to winning the North Coast title.
Coach Adam Mason gave a recap of the school’s North Coast title win.
“In a gripping NSWCHS Alan Davidson Shield clash, Coffs Harbour High School emerged victorious over Kingscliff High School in a tense, seesawing contest that went down to the final overs,” he said.
“The win secures Coffs Harbour High the North Coast Title and a shot at entering the state’s final eight, with a playoff against Armidale Secondary College now awaiting them.
“After Kingscliff won the toss and elected to bowl on a damp Leisure Park outfield, early movement off the deck saw opener Cooper Pearce dismissed cheaply for 4.
“The pressure eased when Tom Craig and Darcy Franks combined for a steadying 48-run partnership, Franks’ well-constructed 14 provided valuable support before he fell, bringing Zane Guthrie to the crease.
“Craig and Guthrie then took control of the innings, working the ball into gaps and punishing anything loose to put on an impressive 61 runs during a period of worsening weather.
“Craig’s classy 59 – featuring a mix of elegant drives and clever placement – ended when he holed out on the boundary trying to lift the scoring rate.
“From there, Guthrie anchored the back end of the innings superbly, he farmed the strike smartly and guided Coffs through the remaining overs, adding 19 with Charlie Cameron (6) and Deegan Tomlinson (3), Guthrie finished unbeaten on 34, steering Coffs Harbour High to a competitive 133/5, later revised to a target of 134 for Kingscliff.
“With the sun breaking through for the run chase – but the ball quickly turning into ‘a cake of soap’ on the saturated outfield – fielding became treacherous for both sides.
“Kingscliff began confidently, reaching 13 before Craig’s clever off-spin struck the first blow, thanks to a difficult outfield catch by Noah Hart.
“Momentum swung further when Guthrie removed Kingscliff’s captain and key batter Brody Felton for just 8.
“At two down early, Coffs Harbour looked in control, but Kingscliff had other ideas.
“A determined 62-run stand between Jimmy Rosser (30) and Kai Robinson (37) tilted the match firmly back in Kingscliff’s favour, their partnership blended patience with aggression, punishing anything short as the Coffs bowlers battled the slippery ball.
“Sensing the need for a breakthrough, Coffs captain Guthrie turned to Harley Teale, and the change paid off instantly.
“Teale struck with his first over, removing Rosser to break the partnership.
“The very next over, Darcy Franks dismissed the set opener Robinson, and suddenly Coffs were back in the contest with renewed energy.
“But cricket’s momentum swings were far from over. Teale’s second over disappeared for 15, and Kingscliff surged from 90 to 105, needing only 29 runs with plenty of overs in hand.
“Darcy Franks then delivered the over of the match, he took wickets with consecutive balls—just missing a hat-trick—and had Kingscliff reeling at 6/109.
“Still, Kingscliff steadied to 6/117 after two tight overs, leaving the match delicately poised.
“After a tough first spell (0/23 from 4 overs), Nathan Clarke produced a brilliant fifth over, removing two batters in quick succession to turn the game on its head again, Kingscliff were suddenly 8 wickets down, still needing 15 runs from 24 balls.
“Franks, sensing the moment, returned for his final over and delivered a dream finish, he bowled both tailenders – clean, stump-rattling dismissals – to seal victory in emphatic style.
“His final figures: 5 wickets for just 13 runs off 4 overs – a match-winning performance that will long be remembered.
“Supported superbly by Clarke (2/25 off 5), and single wickets to Guthrie, Craig and Teale, Coffs Harbour High bowled Kingscliff out 14 runs short of the target to claim a nail-biting North Coast Title win.
“With the victory, Coffs Harbour High School advances to face Armidale Secondary College for a coveted place in the final eight of the Alan Davidson Shield.
“If their composure under pressure is any indication, this team is far from finished making statements.”
By Aiden BURGESS
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