From the Dean of Undergraduates, Harry Croker
The 2023 Rawson Cup campaign is underway at 9 City Road. The College cricketers were hard at work for a number of weeks leading into the opening Rawson tournament. The first opponent; Wesley, Monday 27th Feb. Played on a beautiful sunny day at the College Oval, Wes won the toss and elected to bat. All out for 83. Paul’s went on to win the match 4/84, aided by an outstanding batting display from second year, Jack Matthews. (Matthews 53, Lynch 14, Stuart* 4, Munro* 4, Bowman 0, Donaldson 0).
Round 2 vs St John’s, Thursday 2nd March. Overcast and drizzly. The good guys won the toss, and elected to bat. Again, the College Oval was the venue, but the conditions not as desirable. Nevertheless, a second victory was notched in the cricket campaign, with a poor battler’s rear windshield the only other casualty of the day besides the SJC XI. St Paul’s 7/318 (Bowman 73, Craig* 63, Donaldson 61, Stuart 30, Matthews 17, O’Connor 13, Lynch 10, Bennett* 9, Munro 3). St John’s all out for 180 (Collins 66, Smith 53, Colgan 10, Kelly 8, Fogarty 7, Madigan 7, Southon 6, Lane 5, Woolnough 5, Rizzo* 4, Dunlop 1).
Round 3 vs our old foes. Wednesday 8th March; warm and sunny; the hallowed turf, No. 1 Oval. Despite a large fan base, the men in the gold and gules were unable to get the chocolates against a strong St Andrew’s outfit, who won the toss and elected to bat. St Andrew’s 8/236 (Snyman* 62, McNamara 37, Fredriksson 36, Lynch 27, Hayman* 19, Jones 13, Walker 8, Wines 6, Wright-Smith 5, Hope 1, Hartnell* 0). St Paul’s all out for 124 (Bowman 29, Hodge* 28, Stuart 16, Munro 16, Bennett 6, Donaldson 4, Craig 3, O’Connor 2, Matthews 0, Lynch 0, Brownie 0). A valiant effort no doubt, and as always, our men were gracious in defeat.
Currently the College is placed second overall in Rawson Cup standings on three points, with Drew’s in first place on five points, Wesley third place on one, and John’s fourth on zero.
Our next chance for a victory comes in Week 6 at the swimming.
History will be made next week as the College’s maiden Rosebowl campaign gets underway on Monday 13th March against St Andrew’s at Bryden’s Show Court (SUSAC) at 1pm. Our young women have been training very hard for this outing, and they could not have more support from everyone at the College. We know they will do us proud.
