Ashburton College’s bowling and fielding was all over Christ’s College on Saturday. Photo supplied.Ashburton College’s 1st XI have defied their early season struggles in what was an impressive ambush in Christchurch on Saturday.

The team overturned Christ’s College’s top team by 7 wickets in the Ara 1st XI one day championship, following a ruthless performance with the ball.

After four defeats to open their account, the Mid Cantabrians have now gone back-to-back – the latest win easily their most dominant display of the season.

It was the Jemmett show largely, as cousins Angus and Wil pulled off a superb all-round double act.

Christ’s total of 121 proved nowhere near enough as AshColl ran it down comfortably.

The home team opted to bat first in breezy conditions with AshColl striking in the second over when Wil Jemmett had James Luxton caught.

Devon Flannery was introduced into the attack early, and had success from the outset when he trapped Caleb Manson in front for 5.

25/2 soon became 29/4 as Jemmett ran through the home side’s top order.

A few overs later and the Christchurch boys were five down with Monty Rookes back in the shed.

A sixth wicket stand of 38 between Zach Gimblett (33) and Thomas McClean (23) edged Christ’s closer to 100.

Both Jemmetts then combined to break the partnership at 19 overs, as Angus’ off spin had McClean caught by Wil to end his quick-fire cameo.

Gimblett hung in there, but lost partners far too regularly before he too fell to Angus Jemmett.

Both Jemmetts took six wickets between them as Christ’s were bowled out in the 34th over.

AshColl got off to a flying start as openers Angus Jemmett and Flannery opted to wrap the result up swiftly.

Flannery went at better than a run a ball, clearing the boundary on two occasions as the pair put on 50.

After bringing up his half century, Flannery was adjudged lbw off the bowling of Harrison Lund as the visitors lost their first wicket at 79.

Isaac Bazley lasted three balls before he too was trapped in front in the same over.

AshColl also lost Jonty Small with 36 still needed.

However Jemmett was unflappable as his unbeaten 51 guided AshColl home in the 23rd over alongside brother Lachie (10no).

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 24 November 2020

Kimberley Bird celebrates in Cambridge with her family. Photo supplied.Kimberley Bird has added another big feather to her cap.

Following her world-beating deeds last year, the Chertsey rider added to the trophy cabinet earlier this month.

The 24-year-old and her 11-year-old Holsteiner mare Cera Cassina rode to victory in the Premier Series Grand Prix at Takapoto Estate in the Waikato.

It was her first appearance at the elite showjumping event.

The dynamic duo were the only combination of the 13 starters to complete both rounds without taking a rail, recording just a single time penalty in the second round.

It completed a standout display during the weekend for this pair as they had placed second in a 1.40m class on the Friday.

“That was sort of a pre-run to get her out and burn off some energy and get a feeling for how we were going and she felt amazing,” Bird said.

“I knew by Sunday she was going to feel pretty good.

“She’s got plenty of jump in her and she’s a fiery wee thing.”

Last year, she achieved a career highlight with victory in the fourth round of the FEI World Cup at the Taupo Christmas Classic.

She said the latest milestone was one of her best.

“It’s definitely one of the bigger ones I’ve won,” she said.

“It’s up there, going up against some of the country’s best.

“It was pretty damn good.”

The Bird family could not hide their delight following the win.

“Mum was crying which doesn’t take much,” she laughed.

“It was pretty damn fantastic.”

As was the case during her benchmark performance in Taupo in 2019, she avoided the limitations of less experience than the rest of the field.

“It was only the second time myself and that horse had ever jumped at that height (in Taupo),” she said. “She was really green and were up against some people who have been doing it for a couple of years now.

“She’s pretty special and it’s only really the start for us.”

Bird and Cera Cassina will be vying for further success next weekend at the Egmont A&P Show in Hawea for the second World Cup event of the season.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 14 November 2020

Mid Canterbury pair Sophie Adams and Kampbell Stills have been handpicked for post-season honours.

The Ashburton College basketballers have been named McDonald’s Whelan and Thomson All Stars for the 2020 season.

The accolades are awarded to each competition team’s most valuable player.

It is now the third consecutive year that Adams has won the award for performances for Ashburton College in Canterbury Basketball’s flagship high school competition.

It also caps a stellar week for the national basketball representative after she was awarded the Faith Trophy for contribution and sportsmanship in girls’ basketball at AshColl’s senior prizegiving.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 14 November 2020