The 2nd XI played at home against Te Awamutu College 1st XI on Saturday. Batting first, St Paul’s made a very positive start with captain Robert Carmichael who was playing his 50th game for the team and Peter Winkelman scoring freely on their way to a 58 run opening stand. After Carmichael was dismissed, Winkelman and Tom Harsant put on 72 runs for the second wicket. Winkleman was out for a well-deserved 50. Harsant batted well to make 48 runs before Brad Morton and Cameron Wratt put on a quick-fire 91 runs for the sixth wicket. Wratt was dismissed one short of his 50 while Morton was not out on 42. St Paul’s compiled an imposing 288 for 6 in their 40 overs.
Wratt and Petera Tapsell opened the bowling and Te Awamutu struggled to gain any early traction due to excellent line and length. Wratt finished with 2 for 17 off 7 overs while Tapsell bowled well to take 1 for 15 off 6. The top bowler of the day however was Tom Harsant. The Te Awamutu batsmen had no answer to his flight, spin and control as he ripped through the middle order. Harsant finished with the outstanding figures of 6 for 21 off his 8 overs.
An excellent team performance on a superbly prepared grass-wicket saw St Paul’s record a dominating 173-run victory.
