It was a pleasure to host a competitive Southwest Schools side, with all but two players from Riccarton High School. The team was ably coached by parent, Paul Bridgman, who had a son in both teams. Furthermore, there were four former Riccarton 1st XI players in The Willows team. The first match after Christmas is not always an easy game to organise so full credit and thank you to the parents for deferring family Christmas holidays to enable their sons to play.

The Willows elected to bat and were soon two down for 11 runs. Tim Bridgman and Jonty Hunter then set about what proved to be a match winning partnership. As their confidence grew so the number of boundaries increased and, when separated, Bridgman was dismissed for a wellcompiled 95 and Hunter 75. No other batsmen managed to get going and The Willows struggled to 235/9. Opener Blake Stocks, Riley Hunter and off spinner Nathanael Paltridge were the pick of the bowlers and full credit to the team for bowling, fielding and encouraging each other.

Southwest Schools also lost two early wickets but a patient third wicket partnership between Nathanael Paltridge and Josh Bridgman got them back on track at 80/2. Then enter Nawid Mohammady with the first of his two runouts, a brilliant side-on direct hit to dismiss danger man Paltridge for 56. Joel Lieschke and James Hamilton followed up with seven tight overs apiece and Southwest Schools were dismissed for 157.

The Dave Biddick Trophy was presented to the winning skipper by Dave himself. He coached the Riccarton 1st XI for fifteen years, after an illustrious career at the school. It was a pleasure spending time with him discussing the nuances of cricket and how it prepares young men for life.