It was green on top, hard underneath, with enough moisture on the surface to make any batsman run for the hills. With that in mind it was an easy decision for Whanganui Collegiate to elect to bowl first.

The Willows openers T Harrison and W Lyons spent the first ten overs fighting to stay at the crease. The Whanganui bowlers were moving the ball well, but unfortunately could not break the opening stand until the 21st over. With the loss of three quick wickets, The Willows found themselves under pressure at 88/3. A crucial 4th wicket partnership between T Inness and W Lyons saw The Willows through to 202/3 before W Lyons was dismissed for 85. T lnness’ crucial innings of 71 not out combined with L Steward’s 31 not out saw The Willows through to 254/4 after 50 overs.

Now for Whanganui Collegiate’s reply. The Willows decided to play four spinners and three seamers. Even though the pitch was placid there was still enough moisture to encourage The Willows bowling attack to “bend their backs”.

WCS opening batsmen J Russell and S Sherriff got off to a fine start, but the loss of the first wicket in the 11th over derailed Whanganui’s assault. The visitors quickly went from 38/0 to 53/5; this was the aftermath of some fine pace bowling from C Robson and W O’Brien at the other end bowling off-spin. However, Whanganui was not going to let this be the end. A crucial 40 run partnership between B Kelt and H Cave got Collegiate back on track, but unfortunately for the visitors The Willows spin attack began to unwind the last of the Collegiate batsmen.