Inverell High travelled well on March 18, and did not seem troubled by the distance to Sydney, when they took on Epping after a delayed start. Inverell High won the toss and sent Epping into bat on a damp pitch. 

Epping lost wickets consistently to be 5/55 at the drinks break after 20 overs. They then lost three quick wickets to fall to 6/68, but the tail wagged and took their final tally to 95 runs. 

Best bowlers for Inverell included Tom Scoble with 3/8 off 8 overs, Kyle Chilcott 3/17 off 8 overs, Richard Wilson 3/19 off 7.4 overs and Blake Whitechurch 1/11 off 5 overs.

Disaster struck early at the crease for Inverell when they lost Ben Hobday to be 1/2. 

“Sage Cook and Mitch Lennon then took the score to 78 before Mitch was caught for 16,” Inverell coach Chris Drake said.

Cook and Richard Wilson then partnered to push the score along 95, before Cook was caught out for an impressive 65 runs. 

“Inverell High School passed Epping’s score with seven wickets in hand,” Drake said.

“It was a brilliant team performance with our fielders supporting the bowlers well. Declan Drake took three catches and Tom Scoble took two. All 10 dismissals were catches.

“We play Picnic Point High in the final on Tuesday, March 31.” 

The winner will play in the Challenge final against the winner of Sports High Schools competition, either Westfield’s Sports High or Hunter Sports High, on Wednesday, April 1 and the runner-up will play off for third place.

Drake said once again our boys are to be commended on their sportsmanship and behaviour.