Cricket First XI Season Report. 

The 2015 season has been a very positive one for the First X1. It began in February with the first half of our season seeing the team having a rare win against the Willows by 7 wickets. The one day competition did not see the team achieve the high levels of expectation that we had of ourselves in terms of results but provided valuable lessons from which to learn and develop our game to a much higher level in the second half of the season. A mid-table finish reflected our relative disappointment. A notable performance saw us beat Shirley Boys High Firsts, which instilled the team with great confidence for the second half of the season.

The two day competition saw the performances increase across all players as a harder work ethic and increased level of professionalism at trainings and during matches was adopted. A top three finish and an outright victory over Timaru Boys' Firsts is testament to the development of the players. Commendable performances with the bat saw the team score over 300 on 3 separate occasions and the level of discipline with the ball and in the field was generally very good. 3 centurions in Joe Henderson, Finnian Luxton-Russell, and Josh Earl provided much of the impetus and Harrison Kirk also contributed with some mature innings including a 96.

Many thanks must go to our coaches, in particular Pete Earl who has been with the team for a third consecutive year. His outstanding contribution to college sport was duely recognized at the sports awards dinner. Ben Rapson has also added great value to the group. Our community of parents have been great supporters and contributed to making Saturdays run efficiently.

Paul McCarthy

Head of Cricket

The Willows Cricket

The Willows fixture is a very important one for the College. The First X1 always enjoy playing the match at a very picturesque traditional cricket ground in North Canterbury. It's an opportunity for the players to further their knowledge of the game by playing against former and current first class players.

The match was won by STC with an over to spare. The Willows batted first and scored 203/5 in their 40 overs. Josh Smith, Lachie Stove, Josh Earl, Robbie McGing, Kieran Brown and Joe Henderson performed well with the ball and shared the wickets. STC then replied with Josh Earl and Ben Rapson, a current teacher at the school, putting on a 70 run partnership. Ben eventually retired for 86, and Lachie Stove scored a well-made 31, with Joe Henderson and captain Harry Kirk combining in a 70 run partnership to win the game, with Harry finishing unbeaten on 46.

A great day and experience for the boys and parents

who attended.

Cricket First XI – Pen Portraits

Captain-Harry Kirk

Harry has been a member of the team for 3 years. He has always been a player that possesses great natural ability. During his time with the Firsts Harry has been an integral part of our batting line-up, often playing match-winning knocks. His final season with the team has seen Harry develop some real maturity into his batting and he has played some very good innings under pressure to hold the team together, leading by example as captain. His captaincy has also developed well and he has become far more tactically aware as he has become more confident as a leader. STC commends Harry on his fine contribution to cricket as a player and as captain.

Josh Earl Josh with all his experience at the top of the order, has yet again taken the opening batting role with both hands and been able to put the team on the front foot at the start of our innings, building a good platform for the middle order to launch from. His consistent performances at the top weren't even hampered by a leg injury that inhibited his ability to run for numerous weeks, showing his true grit and determination to do a job for the team.

Mark Woolford

Mark continues to grow in confidence and experience throughout his first year in the 1st XI. His technique and performances with the bat in the lower order has seen Mark move up the order to open the batting in the 2 day competition. As he continues to get time in the middle and grow in confidence at this level he will be a key member in the future.

On the field Mark has the ability to keep the teams spirits high with his quality banter.

Finnian Luxton-Russell

Finn is a key member of the 1st XI and moving to number 3 this year has seen Finn relish the opportunity to put runs on the board. He slotted in with ease due to his years of experience in the team. His move to number 3 has aided in the team putting out highly respectable totals. As well as his scores Finn is one of the teams top fielders, catching anything that is in his proximity, taking some absolute stunners.

Lachie Stove

Lachie is the youngest player in the team and a vital member. Performing well above his years he has been a key wicket taker and run scorer for the team. He has a mature cricket brain, and is and will continue to be a good asset for the team. With his growing experience of 3 years in the team he can be counted on to get the job done with bat or ball.

Joe Henderson

Joe is a valuable member of the 1st XI. He notched up his first 100 this year and has gone from strength to strength with his batting and as our number 1 spinner. Joe has been one that you can count on to stand up and perform when the team needs it, especially with the bat, putting together key partnerships and scores to get us back in the game and put the pressure back on the opposition.

Thomas Hoskin

Thomas has developed his game from a top order batsman to a middle order batter. His maturity at the crease has been important in batting in some vital partnerships to hold the lower order together. Thomas has learnt to play an array of shots and has made good contributions to the spirit of the team.

Ryan Adamson

As vice captain of the team, Ryan has been an inspirational leader both on and off the field. He has lead by his actions and enthusiasm, which have rubbed off on the rest of the team. He has added real value to the lower middle order with the bat and has played some very important innings this season to save and win matches. STC acknowledges the value contribution that Ryan has made to cricket with his positivity and reliability.

Josh Smith

Josh has been a member of the team since Year 11 and has developed into a very useful medium pace bowler. Josh has the ability to bowl long spells with great accuracy and has a lot of determination with the bat. Josh has been a consistently hard worker at training which has led to his huge improvements as a cricketer over the seasons.

Josh Dyer

Josh has joined the team since the beginning of the season. He has huge potential as a bowler with his natural athletic ability and his fast arm action which has allowed him to bowl with real venom, particularly in the second half of the season. Josh has proven to be a very reliable bowler and will make bigger contributions with the bat in the coming seasons.

Kieran Brown

Kieran has been a member of the team since Year 12. During his time with the Firsts his game has improved immensely. He has developed into a very effective first change bowler and has the ability to bowl consistent lines and lengths. Kieran has also played some important innings for the team in the lower order, having the ability to hit the ball to and over the boundary.

Robbie McGing

Robbie has developed into a very useful bowler. With his strength he has the ability to bowl long spells and can also bowl well into the wind. Robbie has the ability to bowl with great penetration and is often has the knack of breaking a partnership.