The annual Timaru Boys’ High School fixture was played in outstanding conditions with the mercury in the thermometer hitting 30°C as participants arrived at the ground. The Willows team desperately hoped for the toss to be won and for a comfortable seat in the pavilion in the shade watching the batsmen compile a hefty total. Unfortunately the toss was lost but thankfully the visitors were young, keen and fancied their chances of rolling The Willows side – thus they inserted the hosts.

To their credit they did exactly that with The Willows teetering on the brink at 82 for 5, a position made more respectful by a sound 43 from opener Tom Flavell. After Tom departed it was left to William Macfarlane and Andrew McRae to steady the ship and compile a defendable total. A partnership of 156 runs ensued with William retiring on 77 and Andrew falling two short of his century. The Willows ended up with a respectable total of 292 runs after some further lower order hitting from Ben Williams.

This score proved more than sufficient when opening bowlers Craig Hinton and Brad Entwistle combined to reduce Timaru Boys’ High to 22 for 4. Henry Sail and Richard Abbott then ensured the visitors gained no further momentum. It was an excellent day’s cricket marked by sound performances from our younger members.