Story written by Dallas Reeves, Sports reporter
Reprinted courtesy of Western Advocate, Bathurst
Friday 28th March, 2008

Josh Hazelwood may be an Australian under 19s representative because of his express pace as a bowler but his batting was a major reason why Tamworth's Oxley High School have become the first country side this decade to win the Alan Davidson Shield.

Skipper Hazelwood made a chanceless 48 not out as Oxley HS (3-135 in their 37th over) passed Endeavour Sports HS' 134 (40 overs) in the NSW Combined High Schools boys final at Bathurst's Watson Oval yesterday.

The left-hander and Sam Rowlings (22 not out) guided Oxley from 3-80 to a win with an unbroken stand of 56. Matt Willis (29) contributed earlier. Hazelwood also made an unbeaten 66 in the semi-final win over Hills Sports HS on Wednesday.

Those two knocks impressed a delighted Oxley HS coach Gordon Rae.
“There was a lot of pressure [batting second] in a final ... his [Hazelwood's] batting has improved out of sight in the last 12 months,” Rae said. “He's a good all-round cricketer, saying he is just a good fast bowler is selling him short. There's no reason why he can't bat higher in the order in representative cricket.”

The magnitude of being the first bush outfit to win this competition since NSW Blues star Aaron Bird inspire Taree HS to the 1999 title was not lost on Rae. Oxley HS faced three sports high schools in the final four. The schools women's outfit won the 2006 Marie Cornish Trophy and were fourth this year.

“I don't think we even know yet really how important it is,” Rae said. “To see a country side like this perform so well does wonders for country cricket. This was our year to do it.” 

Oxley HS won the toss and bowled because they felt the outfield would speed up as the day went on. The start of play was delayed until 11.30am because of the dew at Watson Oval.  Oxley's fielding was brilliant on both days with only one dropped catch. Yesterday, Endeavour Sports HS skipper Sean McInness (28) was run-out just when he was starting to fire while Oxley gloveman Andrew Harriott claimed two brilliant leg-side stumpings.

It helped reduce Endeavour from around 2-60 after their first 20 overs to their moderate total. With bat Chris McArthur (29) top-scored for Endeavour while Damien Cook (1-12) and George Mafi (1-22) took wickets for the runners-up. 

Oxley beat Narrabri HS, Gunnedah HS, Farrer Memorial Agricultural HS, Kingscliff HS and Homebush Boys HS to reach the semi-finals.

With ball Hazelwood (2-16) and Malachii Schofield (2-15) were impressive for Oxley HS. 

A new champion was crowned after Westfields Sports HS lost their semi-final against Endeavour Sports HS on Wednesday. Westfields were champions in 2006 and 2007 and after a four-peat from 2000-2003 the Sydney school has captured six Alan Davidson Shields this decade.

Meanwhile, a heroic innings from captain Kiama HS captain Melissa Harrison took her side to a thrilling one-wicket win over South Grafton HS in the Marie Cornish Shield final.  The all-country battle was a thriller.

Opener Harrison could not be removed as she made 62 not out to propel Kiama (9-106 in 39.5 overs) past South Grafton's 105 (35.3 overs).  While Harrison was the hero as no other player scored more than seven, number 11 Kate Sinclair (one not out) hit the winning runs.

At the start the final over from South Grafton's Leah MacDonald (3-29 from 9.5 overs) Kiama were 7-104. MacDonald took two wickets to make it 9-105 but Sinclair was up to the pressure. Madeline Richey (2-13 from four overs) was also good with ball for the losers while MacDonald (39 not out), Angela Payne and Alice Brown (18) all made contributions with bat for South Grafton.

For the victors, Angela Gray (3-19 from five overs), Ashleigh Dowd (2-12 from seven), Cassie O'Leary (2-26 from eight) and Lucy Beattie (2-24 from 8.3) all bowled well.

In the Cornish Trophy third-place play-off, Oxley HS lost by 10 runs to East Hills Girls Technology HS at Learmonth Park despite two brilliant individual efforts.

Oxley's Peta Brown took 5-31 as East Hills scored 7-171 from 40 overs via strong efforts from Katie Meek (67) and Su Kalyanaraman (38).

The Tamworth side slumped to 6-40 before scoring 9-161 from 40 overs. Morgan Bates made 86 while Jessica Barnard (3-24) and Katie Meek (2-23) were on target for East Hills. 

In the Davidson Shield third-placed play-off, Westfields Sports HS (125) beat Hills Sports HS (82) at George Park 1.

The top three sides in the Alan Davidson Shield will all play at the NSW All Schools titles later this year.