by Kate Houghton

Collingwood A cricket team played Collingwood B team to commence the Premiership cricket 20/20 League on Tuesday, 5 June.

Although the Premier League includes two Collingwood teams, showcasing the college’s cricketing strength, it was the A team who were victorious, scoring 166 for 5, compared to the B’s 129 for 7.

With Collingwood Day held on Monday 4th June both teams arrived sleep-deprived and with looming hangovers, but despite this there were several impressive performances from both sides throughout the match.

It was the A’s who batted first, with Jack Shiel dominating; scoring 90 runs before eventually being caught in the deep by Alex Brown.

B’s team Captain Ed Stapleton also got two wickets ensuring that the pressure was maintained, however the A’s finished the 20 overs with 166 runs for 5.

The B’s needed to bat with confidence and intelligence if they were to go away with a win.

Hamish Elsey stepped up to this challenge, scoring a half century for his team, but accurate bowling from A team Captain Jimmy Lomas proved a struggle for the B’s.

Nevertheless they concluded their session with 129 for 7; a promising performance as the underdogs.

Ed Stapleton was pleased with his team’s performance, despite their loss. He said: ‘It is good to get the season underway. Nobody from either team was in peak condition after Collingwood day, but still a good early season test. We are taking confidence into the next game’.

Both Collingwood teams have five games remaining, and with a solid start to the season from both, the rival colleges will need to bring extra strength to their game in order to prevent a repeat of last year; an all Collingwood final.