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A Poem to Bowl You Over
Kingston Bowling Competition – McKinnon Bowls Club
At Kingston’s meet on McKinnon’s green,
Where silver skies and turf convene,
The bowls rolled out with steady grace,
And Westall stepped into the space.
Out on the green the bowls would roll,
Each measured step, each focused goal,
With steady hands and narrowed eyes,
They read the rink with calm and wise.
Tyler led with quiet aim,
Brian matched him in the game,
Sugam’s line was straight and true,
Maahi’s touch just softly grew.
Xin Yu judged the weight with care,
Xin Fei’s bowl cut through the air,
Ghina crouched to sight the jack,
Yogi’s drive brought Westall back.
Zac, composed beneath the sun,
Played each end till it was won,
Together strong, a unified side,
With patience, discipline, and pride.
They learned to measure pace and ground,
To curve the bias, smooth and round,
To think ahead, to guard, to draw,
To challenge pressure without flaw.
Not every bowl will kiss the jack,
Not every roll comes straight on track,
But champions grow with every end,
Through calm resolve they always send.
So out on the green where big bowls glide,
Westall stood with strength and pride,
At McKinnon’s club their mark was seen,
A rising force upon the green.
THE DAY THE GIRLS CHANGED EVERYTHING- A MUST READ
On Monday 16 February, Westall Secondary College proudly entered uncharted territory. For the first time in the school’s history, an
Intermediate Girls Cricket Team walked onto a full-sized cricket oval to represent Westall in official interschool competition. The venue was King George Reserve in East Bentleigh — a traditional cricket setting with wide outfields, firm turf wickets and strong opposition. Sandringham and McKinnon entered the day as favourites, both established programs with experienced cricketers and genuine pace bowlers. For Westall, this was a first taste of outdoor hard-ball cricket at this level.
Yet from the moment the team stepped onto the field in their brand-new cream Grey Nicholls pants and green sun-smart caps, they looked every inch the part. As is often said in cricket, “You earn respect before you score a run.” Westall earned that respect immediately.
Preparation and Foundation
Although the team had only been training for a short period, their preparation was deliberate and structured. During Term 4, most players
participated in the indoor Big Bash competition, where they developed fundamental batting technique, field positioning, bowling accuracy and game awareness.
Hours of explicit coaching had focused on:
Correct batting grip and stance
Moving the feet to get into position
Bowling to consistent lines and lengths
Understanding field placements
Backing up and supporting teammates
Cricket is a game built on repetition and discipline — like building an innings brick by brick. Those early sessions laid the foundation
for what would unfold on Monday.
Match 1 – Facing Genuine Pace
Westall’s first match was against McKinnon Secondary College, a side boasting several fast bowlers capable of delivering high pace with accuracy. This was the first time the girls had faced sustained, blistering bowling with a real leather cricket ball on a full oval. The challenge was immediate and intense. The first four bowlers were relentless — tight lines, sharp bounce and genuine speed.
Westall managed nine hard-earned runs. While the scoreboard did not favour them, the performance revealed something more valuable than numbers: courage. Every batter stood firm. Every player committed to the contest. There were no shortcuts, no stepping away from the challenge. When facing fast bowling, bravery becomes as important as technique — and the girls showed both. At the conclusion of the match, the team lined up, shook hands and congratulated their opponents —
reinforcing Westall’s core value of respect in both victory and defeat.
Match 2 – Building an Innings
Against Sandringham Secondary College, Westall showed clear growth. Having adjusted to the pace and intensity of outdoor cricket, the team approached the second match with greater composure. Batting first, our captain Ayesha Afghan, led from the front in true cricketing fashion. She combined positive foot movement with clean ball striking, accumulating 26 runs through a series of well-timed shots. Her innings anchored the team — much like a dependable number three steadies a side after early pressure. In addition to her batting, she delivered disciplined fast bowling and set the standard in the field, diving, backing up and demonstrating desperation to save every run. Leadership in cricket is not always vocal — often it is shown through action — and she embodied that principle. Kaylanna Boulton was another standout performer demonstrated
resilience at the crease. With a strong backlit and compact technique, she made consistent contact and proved difficult to dismiss. Opposition bowlers became visibly frustrated as she absorbed pressure and rotated the strike. Her composure against pace earned her Most Valuable Player recognition.
Behind the stumps, Bree Curianon the wicketkeeper delivered one of the most courageous performances of the day. The role of a wicketkeeper is often described as the engine room of the team — constantly alert, absorbing impact and directing energy. She remained on her toes, placed her body behind every ball and absorbed several heavy impacts to the chest to prevent byes. Her glove work, commitment and fearlessness rightfully earned her MVP honours as well. Across the field, technique continued to sharpen. One batter in particular displayed strong balance and positioning in the crease, standing tall and committed despite the intimidation of hard-ball pace. Teammates supported one another — adjusting helmets, ensuring pads were secure, communicating between overs and encouraging positive intent.
Team Character and Growth
Cricket is often described as a game that reveals character. It tests patience, resilience and composure under pressure. While Westall did not secure victory against McKinnon, and faced strong competition throughout the day, the team demonstrated remarkable growth within just two matches. They transitioned from first-timers to competing with confidence and structure. By the end of the day, their fielding patterns were tighter, bowling was more controlled and batting intent was clearer. In photos and videos, they appeared as though they had been playing together for years. Importantly, they did not simply play a match — they opened a pathway. This was Westall’s first female cricket team to compete at this level. That milestone alone makes the day historic.
Conclusion
Monday 16 February will be remembered as a landmark moment for Westall Secondary College sport. The team showed that success in cricket is not measured solely by the scoreboard. It is measured in courage, composure under pressure, respect in competition and unity as a team. Like any strong innings, this is just the opening chapter. The foundation has been laid. The crease has been marked.
Mr Peter Kromlidis
Sports Coordinator