Tuesday 3 March 2026
The First XI played on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, registering two strong wins. The match summaries are below:
Saturday 28 February v Macleans College (50 overs)
In Round 4 of the Premier Boys’ Competition, the first XI beat Macleans College comprehensively. Co-Captain Ed Michelson (Year 13, Marsden) lost the toss (again), and the home side elected to bowl first. King’s made a steady start until Tom McCulloch (Year 13, Greenbank) and Jai Sohal (Year 13, Peart) departed in quick succession for 1 apiece. Sammy Bamford (Year 13, Major) and Lucca Stredder (Year 13, Parnell) then put on a 54-run third wicket partnership to steady the ship. Aekkam Sarao (Year 13, Parnell) looked in fine form, registering his second half-century of the week, and threatened to register a big score before being adjudged LBW for 63.
At one stage King’s looked set for 300+, but several batters got themselves in and then failed to convert, which put paid to those hopes. Ed Michelson carried his bat for a well-made 45* as King’s were bowled out for 260 in 45 overs, falling short of the full 50.
In reply, Macleans made a promising start due to some loose bowling. Spin was introduced earlier than usual and brought immediate success, with Malcom Barrow (Year 13, School) claiming the first wicket. King’s then found their rhythm, tightened up in the field, and picked up regular wickets as the home side were bowled out for 110 inside 36 overs.
Overall, it was an extremely encouraging performance, with areas still to improve. A special mention to Johnny Hindman (Year 12, Parnell), who made his First XI debut.
Summary:
King’s First XI 260 (45 overs) – Aekkam Sarao 63 (68 balls), Sammy Bamford 48 (47 balls), Ed Michelson 45* (42 balls)
Macleans College First XI 110 (35.1 overs) – Aekkam Sarao 4–22 (8 overs), Johnny Hindman 2–12 (6 overs), Tom McCulloch 2–14 (6 overs)
Result: King’s First XI won by 147 runs
Sunday 1 March v St Paul's Collegiate School (50 overs)
Looking to build on Saturday’s performance, the First XI took on current Northern Districts champions, St Paul’s Collegiate, on King’s No. 1.
Sammy Bamford again scored runs, putting on a 57-run opening partnership with Ollie Sinclair (Year 12, Greenbank). St Paul’s then bowled to well-executed plans which challenged the middle order, and the scoring rate slowed. Barney Foote (Year 13, Averill) made a composed 45* to help guide King’s to 194 all out in 47.2 overs.
Johny Gray (Year 13, Selwyn) and Hugo Brickelbank (Year 12, Averill) bowled with genuine pace and precision as St Paul’s made a watchful start. The breakthrough eventually came via Brickelbank, with Gray picking up another soon after. The visitors then struggled to cope with some excellent spin bowling and sharp fielding, eventually being dismissed for 90 in 35 overs. Another extremely encouraging performance.
Summary:
King’s First XI 194 (47.2 overs) – Sammy Bamford 49 (65 balls), Barney Foote 45* (68 balls), Ollie Sinclair 32 (57 balls)
St Paul’s Collegiate 90 (35 overs) – Coby Mallet (Year 12, School) 2–14 (4 overs), Hugo Brickelbank 2–21 (6 overs), Jack McCulloch (Year 11, Greenbank) 1–10 (8 overs)
Result: King’s First XI won by 104 runs