Thursday 19 March 2026
Kings College First XI vs Auckland Grammar School - Saturday 7 March
The First XI suffered their first competition loss against traditional rivals Auckland Grammar in a tense encounter. Co-captain Aekkam Sarao (Year 13, Parnell) won the toss and elected to bowl first on a decent-looking wicket. Hugo Bricklebank (Year 12, Averill) struck early, reducing Grammar to 0-2 within the first three balls. Subsequent wickets from Malcolm Barrow (Year 13, School) and Tom McCulloch (Year 13, Greenbank) left Grammar struggling at 53-5 midway through their innings but they rebuilt well, eventually posting 182 from their 50 overs.
In response King’s began their chase cautiously, with Sammy Bamford (Year 13, Major) and Ollie Sinclair (Year 12, Greenbank) opening the innings. Bamford batted superbly for 77, and when he was eventually dismissed via a sharp caught-and-bowled, King’s needing just 48 runs with five wickets remaining.
To Grammar’s credit, they never gave up and continued to take wickets at regular intervals. In a tense final few overs, King’s required only two runs for victory with two wickets in hand. However, in a dramatic twist Barney Foote, (Year 13, Averill) who had batted extremely well, was run out attempting a second run. The very next ball, Johnny Hindman (Year 12, Parnell) was trapped LBW, sealing a dramatic one-run victory for Grammar.
While this was a heart-breaking result for the team, there were a great deal of positives to take from the game alongside some harsh lessons. Despite the loss, it was a fantastic game of cricket that showcased schoolboy sport at its finest and reminded us why the King’s-Grammar rivalry is so special
Summary:
Auckland Grammar School First XI 182-8 (50 overs) - Aekkam Sarao 2-23 (10 overs), Malcolm Barrow 2-25 (5 overs), Hugo Bricklebank 2-37 (9 overs)
King’s First XI 181-10 (44 overs) - Sammy Bamford 77 (109 balls), Barney Foote 28 (41 balls)
Result: Auckland Grammar School won by 1 run.
T20 King's College First XI vs Saint Kentigern College First XI
The First XI booked their place in the Premier Boys T20 final on Tuesday 10 March with a win over St Kentigern College.
Co-captain Edward Mitchelson (Year 13, Marsden) won the toss and elected to bowl first on a green but firm-looking pitch. With a specific tactic in mind, the King’s attack went about their work well for most of the powerplay, keeping the run rate under control and taking wickets at regular intervals.
St Kent’s were able to take advantage of some inconsistent bowling at times and, alongside some fortuitous power hitting, managed to post 112–7 from their 20 overs.
Sam Bamford and Barney Foote began the King’s innings with intent but both departed early. Aekkam Sarao and Lucca Stredder (Year 13, Parnell) then batted with authority, sharing a 48-run partnership to put King’s firmly in the driving seat. However, both batters unfortunately gave their wickets away, giving St Kent’s a renewed sense of hope.
King’s then lost four wickets for 17 runs, leaving Malcolm Barrow and Ollie Sinclair to guide the side home and secure a deserved win, in the end.
Summary:
Saint Kentigern College First XI 112-7 - Malcom Barrow 2-15 (4 overs), Hugo Bricklebank 2-23
King’s College First XI 116-8 - Aekkam Sarao 30 (27 balls), Lucca Stredder 23 (24 balls), Malcom Barrow 16 (11 balls)
Result: King’s 1st XI won by 2 wickets