Ashburton College spinner Angus Jemmett sends another tricky delivery down the track to a St Andrew’s College batsman when their secondary school competition resumed on Saturday. Ashcoll holds a 40-run lead with a day to play, Jemmett helping a good first innings performance with figures of 2/10 off his 12-over spell. Photo Robyn HoodAshburton College first XI has a handy 40-run lead over St Andrew’s College 2nds after their two-day secondary school competition kicked off on Saturday.

College won the toss and elected to bowl first, easing the nerves of seven players on their debut.

The move paid off with James Forbes bowling one of STAC’s opening batsmen in just the third over.

Forbes and Jayden Fuller are the only Year 13s in a young side with plenty of talent and potential.

Year 9 Devon Flannery only starts classes today, but is already representing the school and standing out as a batsman.

The side also includes Mt Hutt College players Will Copeland and Chris Spittal.

Nerves easing as the players settled in, AshColl had STAC 60/5 at lunch and eventually all out for 96 in the 51st over.

The wickets were shared around with Forbes 2/13, Copeland 2/14, Fuller 2/11 and Angus Jemmett 2.10.

Ben Middleton and Liam Sullivan claimed one each.

Ashcoll’s innings started with a hiccup when captain Tom Middleton was bowled, but a steady 44 from Isaac Bazley righted the ship.

Flannery 36 and Forbes 13 were at the crease when play ceased for the day with AshColl on 136; they will attempt to put on a few more runs when the game resumes next Saturday.

Watching from the sidelines was AshColl’s star bowler Harry McMillan, who travelled to the national under 17 cricket tournament in Auckland this month as part of the Canterbury line-up.

A back/shoulder muscle injury will keep him out of the game for a couple more weeks.

Their second division top tier opponents for the two-day format will include Shirley Boys (relegated with AshColl from division one at the end of last season), Christchurch Boys’ High School 3rds and colts, and Riccarton.

By Linda Clarke © The Ashburton Guardian - 24 January 2018