NEWS AND EVENTS  /  News

News

#sport: Old Boys make up core of WN Colllege 1st XI 2018 Gillette Cup winners

15 March 2019

Seven Wellesley Old Boys comprised the Wellington College 1st XI Cricket team that secured the National Secondary School Boys’ First XI Cricket Championship (the Gillette Cup) in late 2018.  Notably Tim Campbell scored the most runs of the tournament with 379 and was named MVP of the tournament, and Harry Hunter took 10 wickets and was named MVP for the team and Henry Chandler took 9.

Proud parents summed up the lead up to the win: “There has been so much excitement about this win, but much kudos goes to their impressive coach Duncan Murray.  The team got a taste for the pinnacle of college cricket in year 10 in, when they contested the NZCT competition and then a loss to Christchurch Boys High in the NZCT in 2015.  A seed of desire was planted then to get revenge in the real thing in 2018. The build-up started with the objective of not just being the top team in Wellington but being the top team nationally.  Having qualified for the National finals in term 1 2018 the scene was set – an incredible amount of hard work was put in by the boys over the winter culminating in a pre-season trip to Sydney which due to inclement weather resulted in more team bonding than cricket.”

This did not dampen the passion and belief these Wellesley Old Boys had to strive and achieve at the highest level. On arrival at the tournament in Christchurch, there was a quiet confidence within the squad that they could achieve their ultimate goal. The boys approached every game with positive attitude which saw them win every game including the last game which was effectively a final and clearly a ‘get one back’ on the old foe and home favourite – Christchurch Boys High.

At least half the team has been playing together since Wellesley and before, so this helped deeply gel the team. Harry and Tim were both named in the Wellington U19 tournament team at the end of 2018.

Congratulations and well done for such a strong season and the ultimate national win. Mr G is very proud!  The team will play in the Wellington Regional Gillette Cup Finals in Term 4 2019, the winner of which goes onto the Nationals, so watch this space!