The Marlborough Boys’ fixture is always a wellrespected one and it was good to welcome the young men from the north. Winning the toss, The Willows elected to bat and set a strong total to chase.

The innings was built on a foundation from K Challu, a young Christchurch Boys’ High School 1st XI team member who scored a welldeserved 84. Marlborough bowled consistently led by J Pannell who claimed both openers. By the close of the innings Challu was helped by solid partnerships with J Middlemiss, J Bridgman and M Singleton all contributing around 20 runs each. We ended at 191/8 off 40 overs.

The post-lunch chase got off to a strong start for The Willows with opening bowlers A McFedries and A Hastilow proving difficult to get away and knocking over both openers in the first two overs. This set the scene for what proved to be a difficult chase for Marlborough Boys’ with Hastilow securing 4/8, J Middlemiss 2/15, and R Wilson 2/29. The visitors had a strong kick in the tail with a respectable last wicket partnership of 46 by J Pannell and H Ruffell but the team was all out for 78.

Wins for The Willows against the lads from Marlborough have been tough to secure so we’re sure they will be back in strength next season.