Final round of national secondary schools cricket tournaments to begin in Palmerston North

Final round of national secondary schools cricket tournaments to begin in Palmerston North
New Zealand Cricket - 4 December 2002

The final round of the national secondary schoolboys' cricket competition, the Gillette Cup, is to be played at Fizherbert Park in Palmerston North from December 6-8.

This year's finalists are Kelston Boys' High School (Auckland), Hamilton Boys' High School, Wanganui Collegiate and Southland Boys' High School.

These schools came through an eight zone knock out competition of 172 teams throughout New Zealand.

New Zealand Cricket development manager Alec Astle said a strong level of competition was expected at this year's finals.

"The competition is a crucial part of New Zealand Cricket's development programme. The Gillette Cup is a breeding ground for future Major Association representatives and the TelstraClear Black Caps and the finals will be watched with interest."

Kelston Boys' High School came second in the competition last year while last year's winner, Wellington College, was knocked out of the competition by Wanganui Collegiate in their interzone finals.

This is the sixth time Wanganui Collegiate have been in the finals having previously won in 1995 and 1997, Astle said.

It is the second time teams from Hamilton Boys' and Southland Boys' have made the finals.

The Gillette Cup was first played for in 1990.

The final round of the National Secondary Schoolgirls' Competition (previously known as the Yoplait Cup) are to be played at Manawaroa Park in Palmerston North from December 8-10.

This year's finalists are Epsom Girls' Grammar School (Auckland), Napier Girls' High School, New Plymouth Girls' High School and Burnside High School (Christchurch).

These schools came through an eight zone knockout competition of 117 teams throughout New Zealand.

New Zealand Cricket assistant operations manager Catherine Campbell said this year's final round will be a replay of last year's with the same four schools having made the finals two years in a row.

Epsom Girls' Grammar School is the current champion while New Plymouth Girls' High School won in 2000 and Napier Girls' High School in 1998.

Epsom Girls' Grammar School also won in 1994 and 1995 and with Timaru Girls' High School hold the joint distinction of having won the tournament three times since its inception in 1994.

"This is a breeding ground for the New Zealand Academy Programme, Major Association representatives teams and the TelstraClear White Ferns," Campbell said.

Teams	New Zealand.
First Class Teams	Auckland, Canterbury, Central Districts, Northern Districts, Otago.
Players/Umpires	Alec Astle, Catherine Campbell.