Despite losing Will Luelf first ball of their innings, Kinross made an effort to bat out the day, lasting 73 overs from a maximum of 80, with six overs lost to rain delays as storms swept across Orange. 

Kinross were all-out for 166 with enough time to have a single over at the Warriors, when Craig Rogan kept out Hugh Middleton for six deliveries. 

Josh Cheney’s pink hair obviously worked a treat as the off-spinner took 4-31 off his 16 overs, while Morrish and Shaun Grenfell both took two apiece for City.

Led by playing coach Ben Ronald and gun youngster Phoebe Litchfield, the students took their time to tick the score along, but Ronald said that played to their strengths. 

“We were batting time, the more time we bat we can take it away from other teams so we can use our strength, our bowling.”

Ronald hit 40 at the top of the order, top-scoring for Kinross, and said despite being “rusty” he was aiming to be an anchor.

“I want to try and be the rock the kids can build off and play their own style,” he said.

He lavished praise on Litchfield, who finished unbeaten on 36, for sticking out City’s quick bowlers of Ed Morrish and Jackson Coote. 

“She’s a naturally gifted player, Phoebe showed no fear to Ed Morrish, who’d be one of the quickest bowlers in the competition, steaming and I think he was getting frustrated with that.”

He said in a few years she would be pushing as one of the best batters in Orange. 

Litchfield formed a crucial, frustrating last-wicket partnership with Ed Taylor, who lasted 48 deliveries before scoring his first runs, a two edged through slips to a standing ovation.

“He’s definitely going to be our nightwatchman from now on,” Ronald said.