Heaton Intermediates’ Estella Wallace and Medbury’s Nicholas Gibb were the 2017 National Shield and Cup Players of the Tournament at the recently completed Finals to find the Champion Primary & Intermediate Schools in New Zealand.

Estella had a great Tournament with both bat and ball. Her 213 runs (in 4 innings only dismissed once) in the Tournament was 55 clear of the 2nd highest.

With the ball she was one of the quicker bowlers on display and her early wickets against Holy Cross in the pivotal 4th match gave her side a much needed boost after a less than ideal target had been set for the Aucklanders with the rest of her bowling attack chiming in to finish the job.  Her 9 wickets saw her tied for 4th in the wicket table.

Other girls from Heaton to feature on the Tournament leaderboard were –

·       Niamh McKenzie the 5th top batter and 2nd best bowler for a great tournament.

·       Lucy Campbell (a Year 7 player) was the 8th best batter and 8th best bowler.

·       Greer Richards ended up the 5th best bowler (also a Year 7)

In the Boys Cup Heaton Schools Nicholas Gibb lead his team with class and chimed in with significant contributions which helped his side grind out a 2nd placing in the event after dropping their first game.

Nic’s 95 runs saw him 5th on the batting table and his 9 wickets saw him 2= with the ball.  As well as excelling in those facets of the game his captaincy skills were also a factor in the Award presented at the end of the event.  Gibb will captain one of the two CJCA teams at this January South Island Primary Schools event to be held in Nelson.

Other Medbury players to feature were Harry Sharr who was 2nd on the batting table with 131 runs and Hamish Falls-Anderson who’s off-spinners gained 9 wickets during the Tournament.