After a super season earlier this year, the Columba College First XI Cricket team made it through to the regional Secondary Schools cricket final against St. Hilda's Collegiate. An extremely exciting opportunity for our top team, with the winner of this game getting a ticket to the upcoming NZSS National Championships held in Palmerston North.

After a number of failed attempts, the much anticipated match was finally scheduled for Monday 9th November at Brooklands Park in Mosgiel. The day arrived for our First XI team, and unfortunately, so too did the rain clouds. Columba started the final by batting first, and on a damp, heavy pitch with a particularly slow outfield, the team managed to drum up 60 runs after 20 overs. A tough slog for the girls, but definitely a defendable total in the challenging conditions. Grace Walding held her own batting, and tried hard to steady the ship in the tough conditions, eventually leaving the field with 12 runs not out. Young rising star, Matilda Sutton, showed glimpses of her class, and should be congratulated on stepping up to the challenge of playing in a coveted Bates Cup Final.....the pinnacle of Secondary Schools cricket in the region!

After intermittent rain to begin the day, and the covers going on and off a number of times throughout the morning, the batting innings at the crease for St. Hilda's was delayed. The rain persisted, and the match came dangerously close to being called off, however with a slight break in the weather and the Duckworth-Lewis system kicking into action, St. Hilda's opportunity to bat came around in the nick of time. 

A defiant fielding effort, and some tidy bowling by Harriett Cuttance (wicket), Angelique Peyroux, Louisa Kotkamp, Grace Walding (wicket) and Briar Duncan, meant that the chase for St Hilda's was not an easy one. Eventually however, the Hilda's batters positioned the ball cleverly around the field and took the win.

Congratulations Columba First XI for making it through to the final. The outcome may have been very different if the game was played earlier this year in March, when it was initially intended. Yet another by-product of Covid-19, however we are grateful that the team was able to get out on the pitch and play!

Well done Columba First XI Cricket. We are proud of your efforts and sportsmanship.