Hospital breakout gets Harry a game

DANIEL RICHARDSON - Manawatu

ROBERT KITCHIN/Manawatu Standard

BAMBOOZLER: Despite Harry Wenham's efforts yesterday, Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School are out of the Milo Cup

Cancer survivor Harry Wenham's dramatic late inclusion to the side could not stop Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School's 1st XI cricket team being knocked out of the Milo Cup yesterday.

The 12-year-old, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in July, was allowed out of Palmerston North Hospital to be part of the game, but his side lost to Francis Douglas Memorial College by 19 runs in the final 16 match at Victoria Park in Whanganui.

On Thursday, the Manawatu Standard reported how the cricket-mad youngster had been resting in hospital, hoping to be given the all-clear to assist his side to victory in yesterday's match.

As Intermediate Normal's opening batsman and a handy bowler and fielder, Harry was determined to overcome a recent setback in his illness to help his side in the must-win Milo Cup game.

However, while he was given the all-clear and took to the pitch yesterday, his gallant efforts could not help his side to victory.

Francis Douglas batted first and made 133 for eight, with Harry collecting one wicket for 24 runs from his seven overs by bamboozling the opposition with his tricky off-spin.

"I was happy with that," he said after the game, although disappointed that his team lost.

But he was lucky to have even taken the field, after he was told he needed to increase his Neutrophil (white blood cell) level to 0.5 from 0.09.

His final count was not even close to 0.5, but on Thursday the doctors said he could play, on the proviso he wore a mask around the other children to avoid infection.

Harry opened the batting, but only managed 12 as Palmerston North were bowled out for 115.

"The bowlers were too slow and I played it too early," he said.

Harry's mother, Rachel, said he played well given how sick he was.

"He didn't disgrace himself," she said. "He had a screaming headache all the way home."

Harry returned to hospital last night, with his Neutrophil count at 0.14 and was to stay there until it increased to 0.5