Boys' High on their home ground had both the biggest stands, each at a seemingly vital time, but still went down by 13 runs to St Paul's Collegiate in zone three of the national schoolboy knockout.
The issues, including HBHS giving away 24 wides to St Paul's six and not using 4.5 overs while St Paul's batted all 50, were more decisive in a close contest.
In pursuit of 196, Boys' High gained an impressive start of 72 by the moderately aggressive Russell Menzies (38 from 54) and Phillip Otto.
The first four all fell to catches off legspinner Jamie Sisley, who had two more dropped. In a 10-over spell that improved as it went on, he lived up to billing his coach, 1957-58 Northern Districts rep Hugh Barton, gave him beforehand as St Paul's most dangerous bowler. Sisley's flight variations had batsmen frequently mistiming him.
But after Sisley ended his stint, bowling pressure loosened. Sandip Puna (fifth form grandson of 1966 test offspinner Tom, and son of ND rep Kirti) led an eighth-wicket stand of 54 with Shane Wilcock (14). Puna's well-timed, wristy shots brought him 39 within 21 minutes as St Paul's fielding slipped under pressure.
St Paul's skipper Andrew Reed, already the match topscorer with 54 from 85, played another major part as a medium-pacer. He took three late wickets for 26 from 4.1 eventful overs to finish off HBHS for 183 with 4.5 overs unused.
Earlier, St Paul's had no stand beyond the 30s, but Michael Rameka added 33 to Reed's half-century late in the innings before being run out. No. 11 Alex Boyd top-edged three over the keeper's head from the only ball he faced, the last in the 50 overs.
Gillette Cup - Zone 3 final St Paul's Collegiate School 196/9 (E Amos 24, A Reed 54, M Rameka 33; J Bourke 3/37, A Greene 2/23) beat Hamilton Boys' High School 183 (R Menzies 38, P Otto 30, S Puna 39; J Sisley 4/29, A Reed 3/26) by 13 runs.