Angus Jemmett’s 100 on Hawke Cup debut

Angus Jemmett made a notable impression during his Hawke Cup debut against Otago Country back in January.

In what was set to be a baptism of fire for the 16-year-old after being asked to open the innings, the youngster defied his slender years and experience with 108 at Molyneux Park to put the visitors in a commanding position.

He shared in a record partnership (for any wicket against Otago Country) of 176 with Archie Redfern which led Mid Canterbury to a total of 327.

Despite this, Otago Country returned serve at the crease to eclipse Mid Canterbury’s first innings tally in a match where the batsmen feasted and a young star was uncovered.

Spartans’ near-boilover in the UC Championship

A young Mid Canterbury Combined outfit went remarkably close to causing a massive upset in the UC Championship back in August.

In probably their best and most courageous performance of the campaign, the Combined side were consigned to a 35-30 defeat to Christchurch’s St Andrew’s College.

It was a late long-range try by hulking midfielder Isi Saumaki which finally undid the plucky Mid Cantabrian boys after they had held a 24-14 lead at halftime over STAC, who eventually went on to win the UCC.

Although the win would just elude them, it was an astonishing showing from a team low on experience and size but big on guts, having battled injuries through a brutal schoolboy campaign.

Here’s hoping for better fortunes in 2021.

Diego’s Gala Cup win

If anything signalled the gap between tennis prodigy Diego Quispe-Kim and the rest of the Mid Canterbury pack, his dominant Gala Cup run would be it.

The 14-year-old national champion only dropped eight games in his title run, four of which occurred in the second set of the final against top seed and Mid Canterbury Tennis coach Jack Tiller.

The majority of the time it was simply one-way traffic as the young star’s technical proficiency on court was too much for his opponents.

Quispe-Kim has since departed the Mid Canterbury plains, however there is no doubt the youngster has a huge future ahead.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 25 December 2020