The Willows and Otago Boys’ High School is always a highly anticipated match with the Deep South continuing its proud traditions of sporting prowess. Otago batted first on a magnificent early summer’s day and built a hard fought 211/8 which was all the more impressive given the 3/7 start to the innings. The value of the 79 run partnership between Cumming and Elliott was the backbone of the innings with Meffan, Marsh and Day also adding further very valuable runs. The Willows attack was led by Macgregor and Miller in what proved to be a long day in the field and some tight bowling often without reward.

The Willows innings – in the spirit of being candid – failed to fire a shot being dismissed for 121. No batsmen reached twenty – hardly our finest hour. The Otago boys were impressive in the field with L Holt leading the way with 3/3 off six tight overs and Ruske and Sims each claiming a brace. With four LBWs in the innings The Willows batting strategy will need to be reassessed for 2019.

The value of the partnership built on steady ones and twos by Cumming and Elliott was duly noted in the after-match as even in the modern era of smash and bash batting the mantra of sound partnerships was clear for all to see. This is an enjoyable and well regarded fixture in The Willows calendar and 2019 will be a year to even the scores.