Skipper's Come Back Half-Century in Vain

• King’s College 156 all out (49.5 overs)
• Saint Kentigern College 157 for 6 (36.4 overs)

In overcast conditions after a delayed start, Saint Kentigern College had no hesitation in asking King's College to bat. The wet outfield and tight bowling by Saint Kentigern exacerbated King's problems. The King's openers were beginning to adjust to the demanding conditions, after seeing off the opening attack, but injudicious running saw both gifting their wickets after spending valuable time in the middle whilst building a slow but promising partnership. This lack of composure seemed to afflict the middle order also, who caved in to the unerring accuracy of Sandeep Patel who snaffled the prized wicket of Tristan Payle. Patel was the chief destroyer for Saint Kentigern with his 5 wickets in 10 penetrative overs.

Two King's batsmen rallied around skipper, Mitchell Nash who was playing in his first match since his gallant stand in the Gillette Cup win against St Paul's Collegiate to add some respectability to the total. Mitchell Nash, on reaching a brave half-century in demanding conditions, became Patel’s third victim.

After the loss of both Callum Douglas and Tristan Payle, William St John initially, and Sam Wilson latterly, hung around long enough to add some respectability to the score. Whilst William St John grafted, Sam Wilson mixed careful defence with two massive 6’s and the relative comfort of 180 was looking likely until the Saint Kentigern spearhead returned to wreck havoc.

The target of 157 for victory proved to pose not too big a threat for Saint Kentigern who powered home with 13 overs to spare on the back of a rousing 75 run 1st wicket partnership between Ellis and Young. The inexperienced King’s opening bowlers were given a rude welcome to top flight competition and were bossed around by the Saint Kentigern opening pair.

The home team, who were marching to victory at around 6 runs per over, were kept in check by a superb unbroken ten-over spell from William St John who not only dried up the runs but picked up valuable wickets to give King’s a semblance of hope. He was well supported by William MacCulloch who bowled 9 overs of decent quality. At 120 for 5 with match-winners Allen and Patel out of the equation, King’s sensed an opening but Thapa and Turner batted wisely to end the dream for the visitors.