14 January 2026
Stumped: AYO students and staff trade concert blacks for flanneled whites
By Izzy Eagles (2026 Media and Communication participant) and Andy Aronowicz
It was a balmy Adelaide summer evening on Monday with players of a different kind descending on the pitch at Pennington Gardens for the longest, strongest, and arguably most contentious of AYO National Music Camp traditions: the annual cricket match.
On the green, students and staff sprawled under trees with Zooper Doopers in hands and sunscreen on faces. Both sides felt optimistic about their win, however student concerns about some underhanded tactics on the staff side tainted their hope: “I think the staff cheat,” said a dubious string player.
Superstar student batter and trumpeter Toby Rands expressed strong belief in his team yet concern for the formidable staff: “I think we are doing wonderfully… we’ve just gotta watch out for the tutors as always.”
On the field we saw vicious bowling from AYO Director of Programs Warren Lenthall. Intimidation tactics from the staff, devastated the students’ game. When tactics were reciprocated by students, chants of “these are my thighs” and “same old staff, always cheating”, did little to throw the staff off.
CEO Kimbali Harding’s flexible rules convoluted proceedings: “If three students duck the staff get four points.” Claims of a fait accompli were unfounded even when violist and student score keeper Alex Arthur was questioned.
Long-time umpire Lachlan Bramble, thinking he was playing a game of soccer, headbutted the ball at one point. With possible head injury, he proceeded to intimidate the students, causing further chaos in the already complicated proceedings.
An honorable mention must go to bass trombonist Angus Hood, giving equally impressive turns as bowler and batsman for the student team, retiring after sending one ball sailing into a tree.
Viola tutor Liz Woolnough with impressive outbowling took a ‘show-no-mercy’ approach. When called up to bat, she confused the pitch for a dance floor, her swings better suited for the disco.
Amadio Chamber Orchestra director Glenn Christensen, sporting sideways cap and an attitude to match, showed he could easily hang up his violin for a spot on the Australian cricket team. Similar attitudes in the staff team led them to a wipeout victory.
Amadio Chamber Orchestra director Glenn Christensen, sporting sideways cap and an attitude to match, showed he could easily hang up his violin for a spot on the Australian cricket team. Similar attitudes in the staff team led them to a wipeout victory.
A staff win seemed to be foreshadowed with Dermot Tutty’s picture plastered on the trophy. Holding their trophy–“rightfully” won–aloft, it was Tutty’s words that summed up the staff team’s commanding and undisputed win: “We let our playing do the talking…”
In a post-match press conference, Kimbali Harding had more to say about her team’s glorious victory: “I can tell you here and now, with hand on heart, that [match] was completely impartial, once again, proving that the staff are better at all things.”
Umpire Lachie Bramble echoed Harding’s words: “I think cricket was the winner here, alongside the staff. The losers were the students. That follows a 68-year pattern of defeat. So there’s some important self-reflection that the student team needs to do, on their preparation for music camp.”
When asked for comment about potential rigging, his answer was simple: “Of course not. The fiduciary responsibility of accounting was applied to every run in the score.”
Whatever that means…
Caught Out
A poem by Izzy Eagles
Ball, bats, sunscreen, hats
A balmy evening
Players yelling “HOWZAT”
Murky rules deceiving
Sledging, secrets, sneaky lies
Threatened staff conspiring
Students singing “These are my thighs!”
Both sides too conniving
Bowl, swing, hit and miss
Tutty sledging at the youth
Violence on the grassy pitch
Bramble nearly lost his bottom tooth
Yet when the students smashed the wicket
They were truly winners of the cricket