The Associated Schools grand final day

It was grand final day in TAS, with John Paul College collecting premierships across three sports, West Moreton Anglican College the overall cricket champs and Ormiston College grabbing tennis titles.

It was grand final day in The Associated Schools, with John Paul College collecting premierships across three Firsts sporting grand finals, West Moreton Anglican College snaring overall cricket champions and Ormiston College grabbing six tennis titles.

JPC were victorious in girls’ Firsts basketball 35-26 over St Columban’s College, while they also pipped Ormiston College for the First XI football title while the JPS First XI defeated West Moreton Anglican College in First XI cricket.

But across the different teams and age groups, West Moreton Anglican College were still named overall champions despite being out pointed on the day by a very good JPC bowling unit.

John Paul College players celebrate a wicket. TAS First XI cricket grand final Picture, John Gass

Caden Careswell (3-4) and Riley Henderson (3-10) took six wickets between them as West Moreton Anglican College reached 95.

JPC head of sport and activities Julie Maroske described the pair’s bowling effort as “a real momentum shifter’’.

West Moreton College batsman Joshua Boyle. Picture, John Gass

After a steady start from openers West Moreton pair Caleb Doyle (26) and Zak Fisher (14), Careswell speared into the top order.

Liam Argue and Ryan Merrett then chipped in with wickets for JPC before Henderson came on to pressure the lower order and tail end.

New ball bowlers William Aspeling and Matthew Moran also picked up wickets for the JPC.

Amid the collapse, Boyle inflated the West Moreton Anglican College innings with a defiant 26 that gave his team a total to bowl to.

On the look out for runs, Boyle hit four fours during his 43 ball innings that gave his side a chance in the pressure of a grand final.

The winning JPC open basketball team: Pic Nicole Dennis

When JPC batted, Mark Moran (29) and Merrett (27) cautiously took their side toward victory against a disciplined West Moreton attack.

John Paul College players celebrate a wicket. T. Picture, John Gass

Fisher conceded just four runs in his six overs, while Boyle took 1-26 and Doyle 1-23.

West Moreton Anglican College director of cricket Rob Hillier said it had been a “very positive season’’ despite today’s loss and over all the college were cricket champions for the fourth successive season after having sides in four grand finals.

West Moreton College batsman Caleb Boyle. Picture, John Gass

“We played some very good cricket and there were some great individual performances to get us this far,’’ Hillier said.

The winning JPC open girls' football team. Pic Nicole Dennis.

“To JPC’s credit they bowled a really good line and made it hard for our boys on a wicket which was a bit tricky early.

“All in all it was a good season although we stumbled at the last hurdle.’’

West Moreton College batsman Baydn Pond.. Picture, John Gass

In girls First XI football, JPC beat St Columban’s after two goals to centre forward Sarah O’Donoghue.

O’Donoghue, who has been a star this season, again shone alongside centre fullback Heidi Dennis, a well known elite junior athlete from the district.

Orimiston College student Ella Idzikowski hits a winner.

Ormiston College were also winners in six girls tennis premierships, winning in all divisions.

“This is the first time the Firsts’ girls have won the premiership since 2002,’’ said Ormiston College director of sport Jack Pincott.

Action from the JPC v Ormiston College match. Pic Nicole Dennis.

“They played Canterbury College and it is the third consecutive year Ormiston College has been crowned Champion Girls Tennis School.’’

John Paul College bowler Ethen Sandall final between West Moreton College and John Paul College. Saturday March 27, 2021. Picture, John Gass

Pincott heaped praised on tennis head coach Matthew O’Neill who moved the program from a 37 per cent success rate in 2015 to a 98 per cent success rate this season.

Action from the open Firsts basketball grand final. Pic Nicole Dennis.

“There has been a steady rise in performance on court with the success rate improving,’’ Pincott said..

The Ormiston College Firsts' tennis team. Mr Paul Hornibrook (Head of Secondary School), Ella Idzikowski, Grace Huggins (captain), Lejla Buldo, Monique Johnston, Mr Matthew O’Neill (Head Coach).

In 2021, the girls won 39 games and lost just once.

Ormiston College also won the Firsts Boys’ Volleyball against Canterbury College.

It was a great open football grand final. Pic: Heidi Dennis.

“Despite being the Champion Boys Volleyball School from 2017-2020, the boys had not won the Firsts Boys Volleyball premiership since 2017,’’ Pincott explained.