With Lindisfarne College qualifying for the top four schools in the Central Districts section of the Gillette Cup, it was important to play some quality pre-season games. We were fortunate to host Scots College, Christchurch Boys High School and Whanganui Collegiate in the second week of the school holidays and the boys acquitted themselves very well.

Scots College were the first opponent and batted very well to amass 337/2. Cosmo Graham with 91 and Finn Calder with 62 put on 141 for the first wicket in response and Lindisfarne had other good contributions from Lovepreet Padda (51*) and Sam Cassidy (43) on the way to 279/4.

Christchurch Boys High School sent a strong squad and bowled the hosts out for 140 and reached that target comfortably in 39 overs. Fred Mowat's two outstanding catches were the feature of our fielding effort.

Whanganui Collegiate were sightly understrength and Lindisfarne secured two wins against this school by 78 runs and 5 wickets respectively and with Sam Cassidy (82 and 73) and Lovepreet Padda (71* and 107) being the pick of the batsmen. In the second game in particular, Georgie Calder and Sam Devescovi were the best of the bowlers.

Thanks to Laurent Simutoga and Angelo Mufana, hostel staff and John and the kitchin team for their outstanding contribution to a successful week's cricket. Lindisfarne College plays in Palmerston North on 2/3 November for a chance to go to the Nationals in Christchurch for the second year running.

Article added: Wednesday 14 October 2020