Sifleet Goes Into Beast Mode

February 8 2007

Ben Siffleet is known to most of his mates as Beast.

In the summer of 2006/2007 he lived right up to that nickname when he clubbed 189 for New Plymouth Marist United Yellow in a TCA second grade north cricket match.

Siffleet brought up his century in cracking style, thumping two balls to the boundary. But no-one expected what followed.

Eleven scoring shots, and less than 18 balls later, the 19-year-old first- year constable had raced through to 150. His scoring shots from 100 to 150 were a six, a single, a two, a single, five sixes, a four and a six.

Siffleet finished with 16 sixes, 15 fours, seven twos and 19 singles and shared a second-wicket stand of 276 with Justin Lovegrove (83) as United smashed 424-9 off its 45 overs — nine and a half runs per over — against New Plymouth Boys’ High School Yellow. The school side replied with 202.

He had three years playing for Francis Douglas Memorial College in the premier competition back in his high school days but has been juggling cricket with work and is not always able to play premiers when on shift work.