Mike Brosnahan and Aaron Everett (Coach and Manager) of our First XI Columba cricket team attended the qualifying tournament with the team for the Venus Gillette Cup yesterday at Bayfield. Coach Mike Brosnahan writes a summary report of the team's performance below.

The Columba College cricket first eleven played in the qualifying tournament for the 'Venus Gillette Cup' (national secondary girls championships) on Thursday.

Our games were at Bayfield in overcast but dry conditions.

In our quarter final we played Southland girls. Captain Emily Brosnahan called correctly the toss and elected to bat. After the early loss of Briar Duncan with the score on 12, Louisa Kotkamp joined Emily in the middle. They put together a partnership of 175 for the second wicket. After our 20 overs were completed the score was 187 for 1. Emily scored 84 not out and Louisa scored 41 (not out).

In reply Columba limited Southland Girls to 105 for 6 with good bowling and supportive fielding. Ruby Jones getting 4 for 22, Brenna Lyons 1 for 22 and Annie Dowling 1 for 3.

We now faced the stern test of Wakatipu in the semi-finals. Again Emily won the toss and we batted first. This time we lost a few quick wickets but Emily (18) was still scoring well, however when she fell to a brilliant catch we were in real trouble at 5 for 36. However, Annie Dowling (27 not out) combined very well with firstly, Kate Wilson and then Josie Herbert, and saw us through to 102 for 7. A defendable score. Our bowlers worked hard and we had them 6 for 64 after 12 overs and felt that we had a real chance of pulling off the upset. This was not to be as their two batters put on a 40 plus run partnership and saw them through to win the match.

Annie Dowling finished off a great match with 3 for 15, while Emily Brosnahan (1 for 20) and Briar Duncan (1 for 24) were the other wicket takers.

All of our young and inexperienced team played very well, and I am very proud of the team spirit they have and improvement that they are showing.

Emily’s runs for the day mean that so for this season she has scored 248 runs for Columba at an average of 82.6.

Keep up the great work Columba First XI!