Angus Jemmett presents the full face of the bat. Photo Jaime Pitt-MacKayThe job does not get any easier for AshColl’s 1st XI this weekend as they face a tough road trip north.

The side take on Christ’s College’s 1st XI in the first day of their two-day Ara Championship encounter in Christchurch tomorrow, with a steely reaction necessary if they are to stay in touch in the competition.

Yet to get on the board in the championship, AshColl did show some fight with both bat and ball in the final day of their clash with St Bede’s at the weekend.

Resuming on 23/1 and up against it to avoid an innings defeat, College scrapped to 190 in their second dig to at least force the match into a fourth innings.

Angus Jemmett and Jack Middleton jointly top scored with 36 apiece, with other contributions coming from the middle and lower order.

Despite a much improved display with the bat, it still was not enough to avoid a modest target for Bede’s, with 37 required for an outright win.

Liam Fuller and Devon Flannery did not make life easy for their opponents, combining to leave St Bede’s at 19/3 and then 24/4.

Despite the home team’s final day heroics, Bede’s pair Kyle Stevens and Seth Matheson wrapped it up to complete a six wicket win for the visitors.

As far as AshColl’s opponents over the next two weekends go, Christ’s sit in second spot in the Championship.

After picking up an outright victory over North West last month, they played out a draw with St Andrews, with STAC securing first innings points.

Play tomorrow at Christ’s College gets under way at 10.30am.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian -  19 February 2021