Colts

Collegians Colts 147 for 7 beat Karori Colts 110 all out at Melrose Park

Another great team performance. Batting was tricky on a low and slow wicket with odd bounce at times yet our batsmen set a strong, competitive total and once again our bowlers did the job that was required of them. Fielding was sharp and good catches were, on the whole, well taken. What was particularly satisfying for the coaches was to see the team bat out their allotted 35 overs and then bowl the opposition out.

BATTING

Solid batting, particularly from Tim C, Thomas B and Zac Jones helped set a strong score.  Shot selection from some batsmen still needs practice as we make decisions as to which ball to play assertively and which ball to leave or defend.

FIELDING

Fielding continues to be sharp and involved.  Backing up was also improved with boys communicating well.

BOWLING

Wides (22) continue to be an area requiring improvement!  Avalan and Sam again had a good tight opening spell while Shaun, Charlie and Tim C took wickets regularly.

Onslow Colts 96 all out lost to Collegians Colts 97 for 4 at Ian Galloway J5

Our most complete team effort so far this season.  Although we struggled a little at times with our bowling we once again responded well to the coaches’ talk at the 17 over mark and took Onslow from 5 for 75 to be all out for 96; a superb effort.  Once again fielding and bowling were tight.  The bowlers regularly created wicket chances and the fielding generally was positive and sharp and catches were taken although this is still an area the coaches will be targeting on Friday.  

Collegians Colts 122 all out defeated Eastbourne Hardballs 97 all out at Fraser Park

This game proved to be the best team performance so far this season. Although we struggled a little at times with our batting and the total was not as great as we would have liked, the fielding and bowling effort was superb. Tight bowling and great commitment in the field placed the opposition under real pressure and in the end they simply could not cope falling short of our total.

BATTING

Once again the team started positively but regular loss of wickets made accumulating a competitive total harder than it should have been.  Tim C once again anchored the innings.  Thomas B made double figures and Ben ST and Charlie P contributed with 26 between them to lift our score towards the end.  Ben hit two fours and Josh MR hit a magnificent 6 over mid-on.

FIELDING

Fielding was the best it has been this season.

BOWLING

Although we once again let in too many wides (22) it was a vast improvement from the week before.  Sam E and Arvalan opened the bowling and while Sam settled straight into his usual superb line and length, Arvalan was menacing at the other end creating some concern for the batsmen and bowling a beautiful in swinger to remove their opener without offering a shot.  Shaun C continued his economical bowling with another strong performance.  Ben ST finally got his line and length right and was miserly while taking 2 good wickets.  Tom V continued his improvement in the bowling stakes taking two well earned wickets as the batsmen struggled with his left arm angle.

Easts Colts 150/6 defeated Collegians Colts 124 all out at Ian Galloway J5

The game started well but poor bowling marred the entire innings with no bowler being spared from giving up valuable runs through either wides or no balls.  Easts got off to a reasonable start but lost wickets regularly the top score was 25n.o.   We managed to pull back their scoring in the second half of the innings and credit due to the bowlers as they became re-focused and tighter.  Unfortunately the extras proved too much with 43 wides and 5 no balls contributing to their reasonably meager total from the bat of only 98.  Once more Zac Jones filled in for the team.

BATTING

Once again the team started positively but regular loss of wickets made the run chase harder than it should have been.  Tim C batted very well and scored freely including a 6.  Ben ST contributed with 29 and also hit a 6 but unfortunately both boys ran out of willing partners. 

FIELDING

Fielding was again solid and the catches stuck a lot better.

BOWLING

43 wides and 5 no-balls was a big disappointment considering the hard work from the week before.  Sam E once again maintained good line and length and toiled away without reward.  Shaun C continued his economical bowling with a strong performance of 1-22 off 7 overs.  Charlie took 2 for 29.  Tom V had a much improved game in the bowling department and took 2 15 off 3 overs.

Hutt Districts 86 all out were defeated by Collegians Colts 87/5 at Ian Galloway J6

The game was shortened to 30 overs due to the ground being required by seniors.  Hutt districts struggled to bat in difficult conditions early on and, apart from one very good innings of 28, lost a constant stream of wickets.  The initial 10 overs were tight and we restricted Hutt to only 28 runs.  This was a tight bowling display in difficult conditions.  Special thanks once again to Zac Jones for playing for the team while other members of the team were unavailable.

BATTING

Once again the team chased down the winning runs with overs to spare.  Tim, Conner M, Zac, and Connor B all scored in double figures and maintained better momentum than the week before. Ben Strowger-Turnock once again saw the team through with an unbeaten 8 in the 22^nd over. 

FIELDING

Fielding was again solid and the team maintained good attention throughout the game.  While catches stuck a bit better, some of the fielding is still not aggressive enough as we allowed the opposition too many soft singles.

BOWLING

14 wides and 5 no-balls was a big improvement on last week.  Sam E once again maintained good line and length and proved difficult to get away.  Shaun C was even more miserly and gave away just 10 runs off 6 overs including, like Sam, 2 wickets.  Ben ST took 3 wickets off 4.5 overs.  Charlie took 1 for 11 off 6 very tight overs. 

Johnsonville Devon and Patterson 143/5 were defeated by Collegians Colts 146/6 at Churton Park

While both teams were evenly matched we stuck to our job with our batting and won with an over to spare after chasing a very competitive total.  Charlie Porteous won the toss and decided to field first.  The initial 10 overs were tight and we restricted Johnsonville to only 35 runs.  The runs for Johnsonville came more freely from then on, however, and the boys did well to keep them under 150. Special thanks to Zac Jones and Edward Matthews for playing for the team while other members of the team were unavailable. 

BATTING

To chase down 143 was a positive start to the season but acceleration through the innings and maintaining momentum is something we will take away from this game to focus on.  Tim Campbell top scored with 31 runs n.o. off 66 balls including some lovely drives. Zac Jones followed with a well put together 30 n.o. including a spectacular 6!  Notable knocks also came from Connor McConchie with a well made 21 and Tom Valentine with 17.  Ben Strowger-Turnock sealed the game by hitting a 4 off the last ball of the second to last over. 

Good to see most players facing a few balls.

FIELDING

Fielding was solid and the team maintained good attention throughout the game.  Catches in the field were a weakness however, with 4 catches going down.  This again, will give us something to really focus on for Friday nights practice

Good keeping from Tom Valentine.

BOWLING

23 wides and 4 no-balls is an OK start for the season, but will round off our focus for Friday nights practice as 23 would have been Johnsonville’s third highest score!

Sam Edlund had a great bowling return with 3 for 11 off 7 overs – a strong effort.