16 Feb 2021

Tuesday 16 February 2021

With a thrilling curtain raiser played between Old Collegians and the First XI and a heartfelt commemorative ceremony, guests celebrating the grand opening of the Dr Hylton Le Grice Cricket Nets were treated to a wonderful afternoon out on Sunday. 

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Named so after generous donor, passionate 1st XI supporter and Old Collegian Hylton Le Grice CNZM OBE (St John’s, 1947–51, the newly upgraded cricket facilities are the result of a significant fundraising and development effort undertaken by the King’s College Cricket Club (KCCC).

The project, spearheaded by Old Collegian Phillip Lindberg (Marsden, 1980–84) and King’s parent Greg Olliver, has seen the state of the King’s College facilities soar to an international standard.

Dr Le Grice, Mr Lindberg and Mr Olliver were presented with King’s College First XI baggies as an acknowledgement of their generosity and dedication to this transformative project. 

Old Collegians feature in curtain raiser to opening of Dr Hylton Le Grice Cricket Nets  

Old Collegians 116/8 in 20 overs

King’s College 124/2 in 13.2 overs 

A team of Old Collegians willingly gave up their Valentine’s Day Sunday to be part of the opening ceremony of the Dr Hylton Le Grice cricket nets. A T-20 match was arranged against the present 

1st XI. The OCs batted first and on the back of a pulsating 59 runs (47 balls) by Will Gardener and a late cameo of 19 (11 balls) from the bat of Michael Bartlett they posted a healthy 116 runs in 20 overs. Nick Tapper and Toby Irvine picked up three wickets each.  

In reply the KC 1st XI, after the early loss of Achindra Molamure, posted a glorious 100 run partnership between Toby Irvine and Tom Paranthoiene to take full control of the match. Paranthoiene laced the ball to the boundary on eight occasions, including five monstrous sixes.

The father and son pair of Phil and Tom Lindberg tried to outdo each other with the senior Lindberg winning the battle by scoring seven runs with Tom not getting the opportunity to bat. Apparently, Tom won the war-of-words out in the middle with his witty chirps. It was also great to see Will St John feature in this match. He was captain of the 2017 1st XI and a valuable all-rounder.

King’s win by 8 wickets