The Willows batted first on a very green wicket after a week of heavy rain. The pitch played well considering the recent weather. The Willows made a positive start with everyone making starts until the key partnership between Englishman Tom McGeorge and James Leggat got The Willows to a respectable score of 213/4. The Ashburton bowlers all toiled well and kept our batsmen in check.

Ashburton were unlucky to lose their captain early on being caught by the ’keeper down the leg side. They then recovered well with A Jemmet, D Flannery and I Bazley all getting starts. The Willows bowlers all bowled well giving the Mid-Canterbury batsmen very few bad balls to score from. The introduction of left-arm spinners A Nuttall and N Jenkins really turned the game and with the required run rate climbing the pressure took its toll on the visitors. Wickets continued to fall until they were all out in the final over.