For the fourth time in the past five years, the 1st XI took out the prestigious National 1st XI Cup (formerly Gillette Cup) held at Lincoln last December.

The victory rounded off a perfect year for the side who finished unbeaten, winners of local one and two-day competitions and victorious in traditional matches against Auckland Grammar, Westlake Boys' and Wellington College.

After a convincing win on day 1 against southern rivals, Otago Boys' High, the second match against St. Kentigern College proved to be the crucial day. Defending 243, the Auckland side were cruising to victory at 237 for 7 before pressure was applied and School took the final 3 wickets for just 4 runs to win by just 2 runs.

Day three was against defending champions Hutt International Boys' School. An almost perfect bowling and fielding display saw HIBS bundled out for just 79 runs. The small total eclipsed in just the 18th over. A few wickets were lost in an effort to try and up the net run rate.

Rain put paid to any chance of play on day 4 meaning a win against Nelson College on the final day would secure the title. In a session of complete dominance, the bowlers were too much for Nelson and they were skittled for just 62. A meagre total like that was never going to be in doubt and was knocked off in the 13th over, 3 down and celebrations commenced.

Special mention to opening bowler Fraser Sheat who was named player of the tournament and will be awarded the Schoolboy Player of the Year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards at the end of the summer.

The team were wonderfully led by Ben Donkers who had a fantastic posse of fellow Year 13's to make up a fine leadership group. Eight of the squad return in 2017 to try and do it all again.

Christchurch Boys' High School has now won the National Title nine times since its inception in 1990.