A destructive display by Gus Casey-Solly and Seth McMillan has led Ashburton College’s combined XI to a comprehensive win in Christchurch at the weekend.

The visitors cruised to a seven wicket win over Christchurch Boy’s High School’s Youth XI in what was their third win of the season, off the back of a quick-fire unbeaten century stand from the duo.

The Mid Cantabrians are now atop the Cricket Express Youth 2nd Grade one-day competition.

It has not exactly been smooth sailing for AshColl’s 1st XI, who are winless in the Ara 1st XI championship after being put away by St Bede’s by seven wickets.

In the second grade meeting at Christchurch Boys’, the visitors won the toss and elected to bowl and had the hosts struggling at 15/2.

The hosts battled their way out of dire straits with a half-century stand for the third wicket and a 44-run stint for the eighth as Boys’ High were bowled out for 180 in the 36nd over.

The visitors enjoyed a fruitful all-round performance with the ball. with Seth McMillan, Adam Shears and Nic Stringer all chipping in with two wickets apiece, and Casey-Solly in the thick of it behind the stumps with three dismissals.

AshColl had a calamitous beginning to their chase, losing two wickets in the first over.

Attack then became the best form of defence for Casey-Solly.

Coming in at four, the AshColl batsman took on the CBHS attack to get the visitors to 77/2 by the 10th over, before Johnny Stanway was trapped in front for a vigilant 9 off 30, a stark contrast to what was occurring at the other end of the pitch.

Unfortunately for the home team, Casey-Solly was joined by McMillan, who was also in a combative mood.

The next nine overs were utter carnage for the hosts, as the AshColl put on an unbroken stand of 104 to canter home.

Casey-Solly finished unbeaten, four runs short of what would have been a remarkable ton.

His 96 off 54 balls included 16 fours and three sixes, while McMillan hit eight fours in his unbeaten 46, which came off only 29 balls.

AshColl’s 1st XI however struggled to get anything going, after winning the toss and electing to bat at St Bede’s.

The visitors were rocked up top, to be reeling at 27/4 by the 11th over.

Lachie Jemmett and Sam Cuttle tried to give the innings some stability throughout the next 10 overs, but once Cuttle became one of opening bowler George Gunn’s three victims, it became a tough grind from then on out for AshColl’s lower order to generate any momentum.

A gutsy 33 from Jemmett was not enough to save AshColl from a sub-100 innings total, as they were wrapped up for 94 after 40 overs.

Opening bowling pair Gunn (3-21) and James McSweeny (3-17) caused all sorts of headaches for the AshColl order.

St Bede’s got off to a flyer in reply as opening batsman Matt Boyle made light work of AshColl’s bowling attack, hitting 43 from 33 before he nicked one to the keeper in the ninth over.

By that stage, the damage had been done, and despite a late flurry by Devon Flannery who picked up three wickets in total, St Bede’s were largely untroubled as they secured the win in 16 overs.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 11 November 2020

Penny Stilgoe and Dux Lily Lyu. Photo supplied.General awards

Sophie Adams: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Jorene Aguinaldo: Achievement in Level 1 Korean Online, Level 3 Award

Estēe Aiolupotea: Level 3 Excellence Award – Application and Effort

Laurraine Aperocho: Level 3 Award

Anna Bennett: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Crystal Brown: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Sam Brown: Level 3 Award

Ken Bulagnir: Level 3 Award

Mac Burdett: Level 3 Award

Kyle Cabangun: Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Sam Chamberlain: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Joseph Collins: Level 3 Award

Hunter Corbett: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Rob Corbett: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Maria Costas: Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Jane Cribb: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Denielle De Leon: Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Matt De Ocampo: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Shikarna Delore: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Kavan Faoagali: Level 3 Award

Kiesha Fourie: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Shaun Fuluasou: Level 3 Award

Ryan Geeson: Level 3 Award

Jacob Gray: Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Klara Harrison: Level 3 Merit Award

Spencer Ifopo: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Christian Juntilla: Level 3 Award

Ronan Kenny: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Lachlan Kingan: Level 3 Award

Sapphire Kururangi: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Harriet Leverton: Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Dredgewell Madla: Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Ramona McIlroy: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Brooke Miller: Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Hayden Miller: Application and Effort in the SLSU

Jenna Moore: Level 3 Award

Ricalene Pantoja: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Kotiti Patea: Level 3 Award

Grace Quinn: Level 3 Award

Yvangeline Radan: Level 3 Award

Aannana Rai: Level 3 Award

Jestena Raj: Level 3 Award

Ryan Robinson: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Emma Rollinson: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

George Rosevear: Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Angela Salvador: Application and Effort

Emma Smith: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Liam Sullivan: Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Zoila Suyat: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Nicole Swaney: Level 3 Award

Delta Taeauga: Application and Effort in the SLSU

Kalen Tait: Level 3 Award

Hayley Tallentire: Level 3 Award

Henrik Tawatao: Level 3 Award

Scott Thomson: Achievement in Level 3 Music Online – Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Winonalei Tupa: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Riley Vessey: Achievement in Level 3 Electronics and Engineering Online – Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Ethan Walsh: Level 3 Award

Caleb Wells: Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Eliza Wikohika: Level 3 Award

Courtney Wilding: Level 3 Award

Brianna Williams: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Zac Woolf: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Amy Zhen: Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Service, sports and arts awards

Sophie Adams: Faith Trophy for contribution and sportsmanship in Girls’ Basketball

Isaac Bazley: Boys Squash Champion Trophy for Squash – Leadership and Service to Green House

Henry Chapman: Senior Speech Trophy – Dr Jim Benefield Trophy for Classics and Art History

Joseph Collins: Addis Trophy for Vocal Contribution to College music – Leadership and Service to Red House

Jane Cribb: Leadership and Service to Orange House

Sophie Dalgety: Daly Trophy for Excellence in Senior Visual Arts

BJ Fakataha: Rugby Cup for Contribution to College Rugby

Jacob Gray: The Top All-round Male Sportsperson (Cochrane Cup) – Ashburton Hockey Association Trophy for the player displaying the most dedication, loyalty and contribution to the Boys’ Hockey team

Shania Harrison- Lee: Most Elite Female Sportsperson in the College – Senior Girls’ Sports Cup – NZ Cadets Ladies Challenge Cup – Senior Shooting Champion – L Clayton Trophy – Best Female Shooter – To Collect on behalf of the Smallbore Rifle Shooting Team the Bevan Bain Trophy as the team that brings the most credit to Ashburton College.  Team members are Shania Harrison-Lee, Emma Smith and Charlotte McKenzie.

Chloe Johnson: Ashburton College Trophy for the female showing the most grit and determination in sport

Jay Jung: Registered Music Teachers’ Award for the most dedicated instrumental student in the senior school

Hiromune Kakeda: Golf (Glover Trophy) – Ashburton College Golf Challenge Trophy for Golf

Poppy Kilworth: The Top All-round Female Sportsperson (Cochrane Cup) – Leadership in Netball (Netball Cup)

Sam Kuipers: Mihi Pai Award for receiving the most Mihi Pai acknowledgements in Year 13

Sapphire Kururangi: Ashburton College 1st XI Trophy for outstanding contribution to College Football – Leadership and Service to Green House

Harriet Leverton: Leadership and Service to Blue House

Roi Makutu: Ashburton College Rugby Cup for Contribution to Girls’ Rugby – Maui Award for Spirit of Tikanga Maori

Georgia Muir: Senior Performance Cup for Drama

Kotiti Patea: Most Elite Male Sportsperson in the College – Senior Boys’ Sports Cup

Grace Quinn: Neill Trophy for the player displaying the most dedication, loyalty and contribution to the Girls’ Hockey team

Emma Smith: A member of the Smallbore Rifle Shooting Team as the team that brings the most credit to Ashburton College (Bevan Bain Trophy)

Aidan Soal: Whitelaw Memorial Rook for College Chess Champion

Liam Sullivan: Stewards Cup for the male showing the most Grit and Determination in Sport – Leadership and Service to Blue House

Hayley Tallentire: Wilson Cup for Netball for displaying the most dedication, loyalty and contribution to the team – Leadership and Service to Red House

Naumai Terekia: Girls Rugby Cup – For Dedication to Girls Rugby

Revival Tuvale: Midland Choir Scholarship

Riley Vessey: Leadership and Service to Orange House

Brianna Williams: Jenkinson Family Cup for Inclusive Education

Academic awards

Phoenix Andrew: Accounting (Gabites Ltd Prize) – Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Joshua Apoldo: University of Otago 150th Anniversary Entrance Scholarship – Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Marshall Ashdowne: Rakirua Trophy for the top all-round achievement by a Maori student in Year 13

Digital Technology (Heartland Ricoh Prize) – Achievement in Level 3 Computer Science Online – Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Caitlyn Barwell: Gateway Award for excellence in the workplace and application to Gateway study – Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Isaac Bazley: Physical Education (Ashburton District Council Prize) (Joint Award) – Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Chloe Blake: Food and Nutrition

Jed Cameron: Visual Art: Creative Design – Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Henry Chapman: Classical Studies – University of Otago Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship – Level 3 Excellence Award – Application and Effort

Kaveesha Clark: Child Development (Joint Award) – Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Sophie Dalgety: Visual Art: Painting and Printmaking (Ashburton District Council Prize) – Level 3 Award

Eddie Davis: Level 3 Merit Award – Citizenship Award for Outstanding Contribution – Peer Support Mentoring in SLSU – Application and Effort

Hayley Dickson: Geography (Arnott Award and Jane Taylor Cup) – General Science – Tourism – Ashburton Lions Club Award for individual research in Mathematics with Statistics – Level 3 Excellence Award – Application and Effort

Willow Diedricks: History (John Stewart Memorial Prize and Digby Prosser Cup) – University of Otago Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship – Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Brendan Fleming: Mathematics with Calculus (Hogg Memorial Prize and Robb Cup) – Life Ashburton Pharmacy Cup and Prize for the top overall student studying three Sciences – German (German Embassy Prize) (Joint Award) – Achievement in Level 3 Biology Online – Level 3 Excellence Award – Application and Effort

Bailey Gray: Technology Materials – Furniture – Level 3 Award

Shania Harrison-Lee: English (Maria Jarman Prize and Cup) – Level 3 Excellence Award – Application and Effort

Jay Jung: Music (John Stewart Memorial Prize) – Music Performance – Level 3 Excellence Award – Application and Effort

Poppy Kilworth: General Mathematics – Physical Education (Ashburton District Council Prize) (Joint Award) – University of Otago Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship – Level 3 Excellence Award – Application and Effort

Sam Kuipers: Chemistry (Drummond Memorial Prize and Keith Gunn Cup) – Legal Studies (Argyle Welsh Finnigan Prize) (Joint Award) – Level 3 Excellence Award -Application and Effort

Lily Lyu: Economics – Legal Studies (Argyle Welsh Finnigan Prize) (Joint Award) – University of Otago Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship -Level 3 Excellence Award – Application and Effort

Roi Makutu: Maori – Level 3 Award

Rona Malabuyoc: English Language Studies – Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Vhal Mamuad: Hospitality – Level 3 Award – Ivan Mangubat: Business Studies – Top Overall Student in Level 3 Web Design Online – Level 3 Merit Award -Application and Effort

Logan Moore: Health – Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Lucy Moore: Graphics – Top Senior Graphics Student (A W Thomson Trophy, and Chilton and Mayne Architecture Ltd Prize) – Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Georgia Muir: Drama – Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Arnold Pantoja: Dance – Level 3 Award – Divnesh Raj: English as a Second Language – Ashburton District Council Prize.

Seluvaia Ratoul: Brian Edmondston Prize for excellence in Historical Research – University of Otago Pacific Peoples’ Entrance Scholarship – Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Jonty Small: National Heart Foundation Award for a student moving into Health Sciences in a Tertiary Institution (Mike O’Reilly Memorial Cup) -University of Otago Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship – Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Aidan Soal: Physics (John Hefford Memorial Prize) – German (German Embassy Prize) (Joint Award) – Level 3 Merit Award – Citizenship Award for Outstanding Contribution – Peer Support Mentoring in SLSU – Application and Effort

Jack Soal: Sport and Exercise Performance – Level 3 Award – Application and Effort

Penny Stilgoe: Agricultural Science (Five Star Beef Prize and BNZ Cup) – Biology (Drummond Memorial Prize and Watson Cup) – Mathematics with Statistics (John Stewart Memorial Prize) – Level 3 Excellence Award – Application and Effort

Olivia Stockdill: Visual Art: Photography – Level 3 Award

Naumai Terekia: Child Development (Joint Award) – Level 3 Award

Jacqueline Teulilo: University of Otago Pacific Peoples’ Entrance Scholarship – Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Rubie Williams: Technology Soft Materials – Fabrics – Achievement in Level 3 Media Studies Online -Level 3 Merit Award – Application and Effort

Special awards and scholarships

John Grigg Scholarship: Penny Stilgoe

John Bell Memorial Scholarship: Penny Stilgoe

John Lane Scholarship: Sam Kuipers

Rosalie Begg Memorial Scholarship: Isaac Bazley

Turner Memorial Prize for Citizenship: Seluvaia Ratoul – Sam Kuipers

T T Ryder Prize for application, cheerful effort and building significantly on his learning: Joshua Apoldo

C H Andrews Prize for Initiative and Enterprise: Penny Stilgoe – Kyle Cabangun

Butterick Memorial Trophy for scholarship in English and Sporting Endeavour: Shania Harrison-Lee

Ashburton Club and MSA Scholarship: Jonty Small

Ashburton Masonic Lodge Centennial Scholarship: Klara Harrison

EA Networks Scholarship for a student studying to enter the Electrical Industry: Marshall Ashdowne

Ashburton Trust Tertiary Study Scholarships: Isaac Bazley, Maria Costas, Jane Cribb, Willow Diedricks, Klara Harrison, Shania Harrison-Lee, Poppy Kilworth, Sam Kuipers, Harriet Leverton, Georgia Muir, Penny Stilgoe.

NBS Ashburton College Alumni Scholarship: Penny Stilgoe

Lions of Ashburton County Award for Citizenship and Community Involvement: Willow Diedricks

R O McDowell Award for pride in their school and community: Matt De Ocampo

Lions Club of Ashburton Senior Service and Leadership Award: Maria Costas

R O McDowell Crystal Trophy for character and leadership: (presented by the Ashburton High School Centennial Trust): Poppy Kilworth

Rotary Club of Ashburton and Fooks Memorial Award for prominence in scholarship, leadership and extra-curricular activities: Henry Chapman

Proxime Accessit (runner-up to the Dux) – Rotary Club of Ashburton Scholarship Award: Penny Stilgoe

Rotary Club of Ashburton Scholarship Award and Ashburton High School Centennial Trust Plaque for the DUX of Ashburton College 2020: Lily Lyu

© The Ashburton Guardian - 7 November 2020

John Morrison in the sulky. Photo supplied.“I’m going to be as good as Ricky May one day.”

A young John Morrison uttered those words to me one day at the races.

I don’t even think he would have been five years old, but here was this kid – brimming with confidence, wearing a set of colours and a helmet knowing exactly what he wanted to do with his life.

Few would have bet against the young kid from Mid Canterbury following his dream and stepping into the harness racing world as a driver.

It was as close to a sure thing as you can find in racing.

But few would have predicted that the career would reach the dizzying heights of a New Zealand Trotting Cup drive so early on in its development.

And while he’s a long way away from getting anywhere near to the same level as Mid Canterbury great, Ricky May – John Morrison is well and truly on the path.

And on Tuesday, the former Ashburton College student will join his idol out on the track on the biggest of stages, when they both line up in the ultimate, the New Zealand Trotting Cup.

Morrison is on Di Caprio while May will drive Heisenberg and while neither has a strong chance of winning the great race, seeing two Mid Canterbury sons from different generations out there is testament to the fact that this region still has great potential as a breeding ground for the next wave of talent.

May, in his normal quietly spoken way, heaped a bit of praise on his young prodigy.

“It’s a huge thing for him, he’s done incredibly well,” the Methven farmer said this week.

“He’s put a lot of work into his driving, has shown a lot of dedication and he is reaping the rewards of that and to get a Cup drive, well that’s a massive moment.”

May was supposed to be driving one of the early leading contenders for the Cup – AG’s White Socks, but injury curtailed his Cup plans.

However he was lucky enough to pick up the drive on Heisenberg for Robert Dunn, and had his first steer on him on Monday in the Kaikoura Cup – where they ran fifth – and May was suitably impressed.

“I thought he went really good, he was making up ground at the finish which wasn’t easy to do, so it was a really good run.

“Look, he’s probably a bit behind some of the really good ones, but he’s genuine and seems to want to be out there doing it so he’s not the worst chance if things happened to go his way.”

Having May in the bike in a New Zealand Trotting Cup is a huge bonus in anyone’s eyes – no-one has a record that equals his seven wins when it comes to harness racing’s greatest event.

Morrison, on the other side of the coin, is – to use a racing term – coming in fresh.

He’s only ever watched the Cup from the grandstand, but is fizzing about the opportunity to get out and be a part of it all with $101-to-one shot Di Caprio.

“It’s a huge thrill and a great honour just to be able to walk out onto that track as part of the field,” Morrison said.

“You know, it’s what you dream of – and all you want to do when you’re growing up. But to actually get that opportunity to do it is something else.

“And for me, being able to drive a horse for a guy like Brian O’Meara is as much of an honour.

“He’s such a respected and brilliant horseman and has a proud history with this race – so to be wearing his colours is a big moment too.”

While Di Caprio might not have had the most ideal prep based on two disappointing runs at his last two performance, a solid effort to run fourth in the Cup Trial on Wednesday pointed towards better things being on the horizon.

“He’s had a couple of issues, but Brian has got on top of them and he’s right back on track now, we just need that little bit of luck.”

And as Ricky May would tell anyone, if you want to win a New Zealand Trotting Cup, luck is a huge part of the equation.

A piece of advice the master is certain to have passed onto the apprentice at some point along the way.

By Matt Markham © The Ashburton Guardian - 7 November 2020