Tuesday 3 November 2026
A King’s College versus Auckland Grammar School fixture is always a tense and meaningful occasion, particularly when it is a top-of-the-table clash between two very good sides. Fortunately, and deservingly, our First XI came out on top this Saturday in a low-scoring but excellent game of cricket.
Grammar won the toss and elected to bat first, looking to make the most of an excellent wicket. Their openers made a watchful and solid start before the excellent Edward Mitchelson (Year 13, Marsden) cleaned up one of the openers with a peach of a delivery to claim the first wicket of the game.
King’s then settled into bowling a consistent line and length, backed up by some excellent fielding and what was a real team effort. Co-captain Mitchelson (4–16) bowled exceptionally well into the wind, asking constant questions of the Grammar batters, who struggled to find an answer. He was well supported by leg-spinner Tom McCulloch (Year 13, Greenbank) (2–28), who bowled with excellent control and variation, alongside the ever-reliable Malcolm Barrow (Year 13, School) (2–32). Grammar being bowled out for a modest but defendable 129 runs.
Chasing a relatively low target can sometimes prove trickier than expected, and King’s found themselves under pressure after losing opener Ollie Sinclair (Year 12, Greenbank) early. However, a 46-run third-wicket partnership between Head Boy Sammy Bamford (Year 13, Major) and McCulloch, who was promoted to No. 3, helped steady the ship.
The remaining King’s batters all got themselves in but were unable to capitalise on their starts, with the side struggling to build a decisive partnership. McCulloch batted superbly to anchor the innings, but when he and the co-captains were dismissed soon after, King’s still needed 16 runs to win with just two wickets remaining. A tense finish was on the cards.
Up stepped Oscar Holt (Year 12, Parnell) and debutant Millar Ormsby (Year 11, Greenbank), who kept their cool and batted with composure to seal a memorable two-wicket victory for the First XI against our biggest rivals.
A special congratulations to Ollie Sinclair, who was awarded his First XI baggy cap, and to Millar Ormsby, who made his First XI debut and hit the winning runs in such a significant fixture.
The First XI now sit three points clear at the top of the table with two competition rounds to go.
Match Summary
Auckland Grammar School First XI – 129 all out (48.2 overs)
Ed Mitchelson 4–16 (7.2 overs), Tom McCulloch 2–28 (10 overs), Malcolm Barrow 2–32 (9 overs)
King’s College First XI – 132–8 (40.2 overs)
Tom McCulloch 29 (81 balls), Sammy Bamford 28 (55 balls), Millar Ormsby 13* (15 balls), Oscar Holt 10* (25 balls)
Result: King’s College First XI won by two wickets.