PNBHS 1955–1959 – Kia Ora Club

While at school Bryan was an impressive performer both academically and on various sports fields. He was a member of the 1st cricket and hockey XIs for four years and was chosen for both Manawatu and Central Districts cricket while at school. He was selected for a NZ Secondary Schools Hockey team and narrowly missed final selection for the NZ hockey team which attended the Rome Olympics in 1960. Bryan captained both cricket and hockey XIs in his final year at school. He achieved a remarkable 13 Honours Board performances for the 1st XI cricket. He was Club Captain of Kia Ora and a School Prefect in his final year. He was a boxing champion, athletics field event champion, a CSM in the Cadet Unit, a leader in the Crusader Movement, a swimmer of considerable merit, thrice represented the school in annual cross-country events and played a good game at five-eight for one season (as well as his hockey). He was awarded the prestigious Dux Ludorum in 1959.

Bryan played 17 tests for NZ and went on three lengthy overseas tours. His Test Cap is number 95 and his PNBHS Cap is 372. He played 123 first-class matches with a highest score of 146 and best bowling 9/100. He played first class cricket from 1959-1972 amassing nearly 4000 runs and 375 wickets. For NZ he scored 481 runs and took 34 wickets.

Bryan played in the match when NZ first beat an Australian Cricket team, although it wasn’t a full test squad. His match figures were 69 overs, 34 maidens, 7/119. Victor Pollard took 11 wickets in the same match. His test debut was against England where he took Ted Dexter’s wicket and top-scored in the first innings with 64 which remained his highest test score. In 1969 he headed the batting averages in the NZ tour of England but was not selected in the tests. For religious reasons, he did not play cricket on a Sunday which ultimately curtailed his career.