Photo Doug BovettCaptured taking a low catch for his Ashburton College first XI cricket side on Saturday was Devon Flannery.

The catch helped Ashburton College on their way to a omprehensive victory on day two of their two-day match against the Christchurch Boys’ High School (CBHS) Colts XI in the Canterbury Youth 1st XI Cup Two Day competition, at the Ashburton Domain.

On day one the weekend prior, the CBHS side batted first and were all out for just 32, with Tom Middleton taking 3/8 and Angus Jemmett taking 4/5.

Ashburton College then made 234/9, with Jemmett top-scoring with 71 and Middleton also chiming in with 50, and Isaac Bazley making 42.

CBHS had a massive job on their hands to chase down the Ashburton boys’ target, and it proved far too big, with the side all out for 98.

Liam Sullivan, Angus Spittal and Christian Thompson each captured two second innings wickets.

Spittal finished with the best figures of 2/8 off six overs.

This weekend the Ashburton College side begin their next two-day match, this time against the Shirley Boys’ High School 1st XI in Christchurch.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 8 February 2019

Pete Topham. Photo Erin TaskerPeter Topham eyes up a volley during Thursday night’s round of the Mid Canterbury Tennis Sunset Doubles competition.

The popular competition is divided into five different sections, with Topham’s team competing in the division one competition in which the Crozier’s Turkeys team was proving to be the team to beat this season, having taken out the pre-Christmas title.

Geraldine won the division two A round one title while Agitated Panda won round one of division two B.

Division three’s round one title was won by I’d Hit That, while the hard-fought women’s competition was being led by the Dorie Damsels heading into the latest round.

Although there was a dedicated ladies division, women’s and mixed teams were also part of some of the higher grades.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 8 February 2019

Ashburton College principal Ross Preece welcoming Year 9 students and new members of the school’s teaching staff during yesterday’s powhiri. Photo Sue NewmanMore than 270 Year 9 students and several new staff members were formally welcomed to Ashburton College yesterday with a powhiri at the school’s wharenui.

The newcomers were led into the ceremony by Kaumatua Tipene Philip and head of junior school Carolyn Clough.

They were welcomed by principal Ross Preece as part of the school family.

Year 10 to 13 students sang the school waiata with the newcomers responding.

While the start of year powhiri is the most significant large event held in the wharenui, it is well used during the school year as teaching space.

The college wharenui opened in 1997 and the following week the carvings surrounding its entrance were created by master carver Vince Leonard.

After more than 20 years those carvings now have significant weather damage and next week they  will be removed and will undergo an extensive restoration process.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 8 February 2019