To turn up at Jaguar Oval and see a team list with an abundance of batting ability was somewhat heartening. Eleven overs in, with Tom Taylor (38) and Will Lyons (17) at the crease and names like D Kelly, Mugford and Howell sitting in the shed with the pads on, hopes of The Willows setting a big score were high.

Good spells from Ben Donkers and Fraser Sheat put the brakes on while Louie Chapman, on debut for the 1st XI, spun his way through the middle order to take 4-21 off nine. With the exception of some late resistance from Taylor Irie (29) and Jamie Hunt (20) The Willows limped to 174 in the 49th over.

Playing the trump card in giving Andrew Nuttall the new ball proved fruitful. He picked up the School openers cheaply which give The Willows a sniff in anticipation for a classic schoolboy collapse. However, as hard as the bowlers toiled, Will Jordan (70) and Matthew Hay (66) were far too classy. The pair batted superbly to eclipse the meagre target in just the 31st over.

A high class effort on and off the field by the boys from Straven Road.