1st XI Report 

5 November 2022 vs Macleans College

Playing Macleans College but with only seven players turning up on the day meant the odds were stacked against St Paul's from the outset. We won the toss and chose to bat, giving us a chance to post a total that we might be able to defend. Without a full eleven players to bat, the pressure was on the seven batters from the first ball. A slow start was compounded with the loss of Nico Smith (Year 11) for one when unfortunately he chose the wrong ball to go for. Solomon Nash and Stephen Thomas (both Year 11) steadied the ship and together batted for the next 10 overs, albeit under pressure and with few opportunities to score runs. This was by far the best bowling side we have played in recent seasons and finding loose balls to hit was rare.

However we stuck to our task admirably and after a few powerful shots with the wind, Solomon was eventually out for 24 which brought Enoka Sului (Year 12) to the crease and he, along with Steven and some handy cameos down the bottom from Alamoni Tuione (Year 13), Sebastian Smith (Year 10) and Justus Tele'a (Year 12), saw the St Paul's total through to 90 runs. Not huge, but on a slow outfield we knew it was a more defendable total than it appeared.

St Paul's knew from the outset we would need to bowl well to defend 90 runs and we did just that.

Solomon and Stephen led the charge, with Stephen Thomas taking regular wickets (three plus a run out) and Solomon keeping things tight. Then came Enoka and Alamoni who both bowled with skill and pace taking crucial wickets to keep us in the game. Finally, the last combination of Sebastian and Justus brought us home, Justus bowling the last over with Macleans College needing 12 to win, eventually coming up eight runs short, due to a brilliant last over bowled under immense pressure by Justus.

Special mention again to Nico Smith for his tidy keeping behind the stumps and to the reserve fielders, India, Sumeet and Dion, not to mention tidy score keeping by Mr Simento!

Finally, we want to say what a fantastic game to play in and watch, the Macleans students played with wonderful spirit and humility in allowing us to field extra players to make up the numbers, which they did not need to do. They were a credit to their school as were the St Paul's students.

Dion Nash, 1st XI Coach