ELTHAM College’s first XI cricket squad headed down under during the Christmas and New Year break for a three-week tour to test themselves against schools in Adelaide and Melbourne.

The boys enjoyed a huge amount of success, winning four from four in Adelaide and drawing one and losing two in Melbourne.

Some of the cricket played was fierce at times, as the boys came up against very fast and hostile Australian attacks.

Half centuries in Adelaide for Fin Simpson, Charlie Speller, David Giles, and David Voisey helped set up the four victories, but no one will deny Mark Philpot the plaudits following his match-winning 115 against Felsted in game three.

Chris Harden also impressed with match winning performances against Saints (42 not out) and Felsted (30 not out).

The bowlers were also spot on, as Sam Hardy, Vas Bala, Will Goddard and Tom Scorgie all worked tirelessly in the heat on very unhelpful pitches to keep the opposition scores down.

Melbourne was the venue for the second leg of the tour, which proved very tough as the boys came up against two strong teams in Melbourne Grammar and Trinity School.

Christmas Day was spent on a floating restaurant on the Yarra river, followed by a Boxing Day visit to the MCG for a test match.

The final game was against Eltham College Melbourne and the boys battled hard in a tough draw over two days.

Jack Robertson showed great promise with both bat and ball, while Mark Philpot hit 55 in the second innings.

The boys finished off in Sydney where they watched the New Year fireworks and spent the next day jet-boating across the harbour before heading to Manly for the end of tour dinner and awards.

This really was the trip of a lifetime for these young cricketers and they embraced it with arms wide open.

The Eltham College team made the most of every opportunity, be it on or off the field, and they could not have been better ambassadors for their school or country.