The Willows v Shirley Boys’ High School 1st XI on 25 February 2024

Season 2023/24

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The Willows first played against Shirley Boys’ High School 1st XI in the 2000/01 season.

Steve Garland Trophy

Steve attended Linwood High School (1968–1973). He was a medium pacer outswing bowler and tailend batsman in the lower grades with the St Albans Cricket Club, Christchurch. He was always a nice, friendly and affable guy to play against. He gained an MA degree and had a long career (1979–2019) teaching History and Social Studies at Shirley Boys' High School – 42 years all up! During that time he was coach / master in charge of cricket for 27 seasons – huge service to the game. For a while SBHS 1st XI was the dominant school in Christchurch. Those teams had (future test players) Darrin Murray, Michael Papps, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan and Gary Stead. Richard Petrie played one-dayers. Those guys were pretty dominant from the start but Steve Garland did have a significant part in shaping the careers of this cohort of Black Cap players.

Played

Won

Lost

v Shirley Boys’ High School 1st XI

Sunday, 25 February 2024Report by Tim Grocott

Previous match Next match

The Willows 320/9

T Music 93, H Passenger 70, J Smith 48

Shirley BHS 206

J Wilson 35, J McIlraith 30, S Rose 28, A Frost 3/50, J Pawson 2/16

The Willows
won by 114 runs

The Willows played Shirley Boys’ High School on a typically beautiful day in Loburn. This has always been a popular event with a number of old boys keen to play, but this year there were a number of unavailabilities which led to some guest appearances from new players. The Willows won the toss and opted to bat on a green wicket which seamed around early. The opening batters faced some demanding bowling from the Shirley Boys’ seamers, Will Davis, Ethan Gilmore and Hadleigh Milligan. Will Davis in particular bowled very well, moved the ball around and troubled the batters.

Tom Music batted very patiently and formed a number of good partnerships, putting on 80 with Josh Smith (48). Harry Passenger, making his Willows debut batted very powerfully, playing shots all over the ground getting to 70 off 32 balls, including 12 fours and a six before being retired by the skipper. Tom Music carried on and was eventually caught behind for 93. Shirley Boys’ toiled well and got wickets regularly through the final overs, with the Willows finishing on 320/9 off their 50 overs. Will Davis the pick of the bowlers with 1/45 off 10, ably supported by Gilmore and Milligan picking up two wickets each.

Shirley Boys’ started off batting solidly against the opening attack of Headmaster, Tim Grocott, and former Canterbury bowler Ryan Burson. Grocott (1/21) took the first wicket with 39 the score and the next few wickets fell with excellent bowling from Jason Pawson (2/16) and Harry Passenger (1/35). Opening batter Jake Wilson batted a long time for 35 and formed small partnerships with the middle order but couldn’t quite last long enough to put pressure on the Willows bowlers and field. Josh McIlraith played awkwardly at the spinners but interspersed this with some clean hitting with three fours and two sixes in his 30. Seth De Rose came in with his retro style bat towards the tail to entertain everyone, and did so with a couple of big hits, including losing a ball in the hedge from a six over midwicket. Shirley Boys’ High School all out in the 50th over for 206.

A special thanks to Alyson Shipley who had to umpire both ends for the whole game, and Anne McLeod and Taine MacGregor for scoring. Willows player of the day was Tom Music for his 93. Thanks to Shirley Boys’ High School players, staff, including David Grocott and coaches; and their supporters who did well throughout the day, looked fantastic and entered into the spirit of the day.

Umpire: A Shipley

Scorer: A McLeod