The Colts cricket team recently played a tournament in Oamaru, winning all three matches!
Day one: Their first game was against NW Youth. Losing the toss, NW Youth got away to a great start, and at one stage were 90 without loss.
The introduction of Quinn O’Connor changed the game and his 3/16 proved instrumental in restricting the opposition to 167 of their 40 overs. Thomas Miller, 2/44 and Jonty Muir 2/14 contributed well.
Going into bat Southland Boys' High School started well. Thomas Rutledge 18 and Toby Porteous 44, combined with Thomas Miller and a hard hit 56 of 65 balls saw us 140 for 4. Like any good theatre, a middle order collapse saw us 155/8. A very composed Quinn O’Connor, 17 not out, got us home in the last over with one wicket to spare.
A well deserved win – especially playing against an older team.
Today the boys play St Kevin’s College.
Day two: On a hot 28 degree day in Oamaru, the Year 8 and 9 Colts faced St Kevin’s College (SKC) on their home ground.
After losing the toss, the Colts were asked to bowl first and immediately had SKC in trouble with excellent line and length bowling. The Colts reduced SKC to just 16 runs for 5 wickets, with Jack Ramsey leading the way, taking 3 of the first 5 wickets. Konnor Hogg and Sean Hartstonge each claimed a wicket as well. SKC mounted a brief resistance through a 6th wicket partnership, but spinner Thomas Rutledge broke the stand. Thomas finished with 3 wickets, while Quinn O'Connor added 2 wickets, including that of SKC's top batsman. After 35 overs, SKC were all out for 111 runs.
Chasing a target of 112 runs, the Colts made a solid start with openers Thomas Rutledge and Sam Phillips putting together a chance-less 65-run partnership. Sam Phillips was dismissed in the 17th over while attempting to accelerate the scoring. Thomas Miller joined Rutledge at the crease and played a mature knock, pacing his innings exceptionally well, finishing 24 not out from 23 balls. Rutledge remained unbeaten on 31 from 58 balls, being barely troubled by the opposition throughout his innings. The Colts comfortably reached the target in 25 overs, finishing with 9 wickets in hand.
The early finish allowed the boys to head to the beach to cool down after an extremely hot day playing cricket. Very well deserved!
The Colts are back in action today for their final match of the tournament, facing Wakatipu High School at Centennial Park, the home of North Otago Cricket.
Day three: The final day of the Oamaru tournament saw the Southland Boys' High School Year 8 and 9 Colts face Wakatipu High School at Centennial Park. Captain Quinn O’Connor won the toss and chose to bowl first. The bowlers initially struggled to find their rhythm, with the strong breeze affecting their line and length. After 15 overs, Wakatipu were 1/80, looking set for a big total.
However, the introduction of twin spinners Hugo Page and Thomas Rutledge turned the game around. In a remarkable five-over period, Wakatipu’s score moved from 1/116 to 7/127, with Thomas taking a hat-trick and Hugo claiming 2 wickets in 2 balls. Thomas finished with impressive figures of 3/31 from 6 overs, while Hugo bowled beautifully, taking an impressive 3/15 from 5 overs. Thomas Miller then wrapped up the tail, claiming 2 wickets, while Jack Ramsey and Konnor Hogg also chipped in with one each. Excellent catching and ground fielding supported the bowlers, and Wakatipu were bowled out for 159 in the 32nd over.
Chasing 160, the Colts altered their batting order, giving others a chance to bat. New openers Toby Porteous and Year 8 James Domigan made a solid start, putting on a 90-run partnership. James was dismissed in the 17th over, but Toby continued to lead the way, compiling a superb 71 runs off 82 balls, including 13 boundaries. However, the Colts’ middle order couldn’t capitalise on the solid foundation, and they slipped from a comfortable 1/111 in the 21st over to 7/140 in just 6 overs.
With the team under pressure, once again it was left to captain Quinn O’Connor to see them home. Quinn played a composed innings of 17 not out from 15 balls, including one four and one six, guiding the team to victory in the 30th over with 2 wickets in hand.
The win secured a perfect tournament record of 3 wins from 3 games, a fantastic result for the Colts. The team’s performance, both on and off the field, was an inspiration to younger students, showcasing great resilience and sportsmanship.
