Cricket 1st XI
Match Report: St Paul’s 1st XI v Kings College
St Paul's started well winning the toss and electing to bat.
Stephen Thomas and Solomon Nash (Year 12s) got the score ticking over quickly before Solomon was out caught on the boundary.
Kings' bowlers were slow but tricky and this troubled the St Paul's line up for a time. However some nice hitting from Aisea Makasini (Year 12) and Stephen Thomas soon got the scoring going and the innings back underway. We lost steady wickets, every time we looked like we were about to boost away and hit a really big total we would lose another wicket. Stephen Thomas was the rock in the innings, batting well for the third or fourth game in a row and where he was finally our caught trying for a boundary. The platform had been set for Enoka Sului (Year 13) to come to the wicket and finish of the innings. And finish it he did with four fours and two towering sixes that would have put the ball out of many stadiums, this meant St Paul's finished on a strong total of 144 runs.
When it came to bowling it was again Stephen Thomas who led the way, taking an early wicket and getting us off to a good start. Enoka, Joseph Samuels (Year 11), Aaron Teo (Year 11), Marcellin Tagiilima Siilata (Year 11) and Atelea Barron-Afeaki (Year 13) all bowled tightly and put huge pressure on the Kings batters, who eventually crumbled as Solomon Nash finished up the innings taking three wickets and effectively ending any chance Kings had in the game.
Special mentions to Jones Cocker-Lavakeiaho (Year 11) who took an outstanding catch at first slip and who also bowled his first over in a game and to Finn Lloyd (Year 11) who bowled with real aggression and pace during his spell at the crease – both have made a great start to their cricket careers at St Paul's college.
Overall this was a fantastic team win and a fitting end to a really great season.
Special thanks to Mr Ryan as Team manager, Ms Jo Lloyd for team communications and Management, Mr Simento for scoring the games and Nick Gavigan who is the team's Coach.
We are really looking forward to the start of next season and the progress this group will make – have a fantastic winter season.
