New Zealand Schools: Harding shines with rare feat (24 February 1999)

24 February 1999

New Zealand Schools: Harding shines with rare feat

The Christchurch Press

Tom Harding is better known for his rugby exploits but he took centre-stage on the cricket pitch recently with four wickets in consecutive deliveries for the Christ's College first XI.

Harding's double hat-trick led Christ's to a resounding nine-wicket win in its annual inter-school match against Otago Boys' High School in Dunedin.

Harding wrapped up the Otago team's second innings by clean bowling three batsmen followed by a leg before wicket decision.

"It was a bit freakish. I had a hat-trick in my primary school days, but never four in a row."

Harding is not a frontline bowler, coming on usually as second change and filling a tight medium pacer's role.

Christ's College won the match by nine wickets thanks to a fine 77 from captain Thomas Fisher.

Harding, a Year 13 student, is unlikely to continue cricket after leaving school with his rugby likely to take priority.

Harding's older brother, Sam, has just left Christ's College and is attending university in Dunedin. He was a national secondary schools rugby representative.

Otago BHS 121 (A Wilkinson 66; M Davidson 3-35, M Ballin 3-30, J Ryan 3-11) and 121 (J Sheed 32; M Davidson 4-24, T Harding 4-12) lost to Christ's College 212 (T Fisher 77, J Ryan 37, D Fulton 25; J Murley 4-56) and 33-1 by nine wickets.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)