Welcome Southwest Schools to The Willows cricketing calendar. Conditions could only be described as perfect with a hard and fast pitch and a lightning outfield. Batting first The Willows were solid and with measured stroke play were able to gain the ascendancy against a pretty lively opening attack. Teale and D’Arcy put on 146 for the first wicket and this allowed Hantz, Dickson, Wilson and Kelly to cameo our way to 307 for 4. This I thought was a par score.

Our opening bowlers Courtney and Williams were steady but we were leaking runs. After 18 overs Southwest Schools were 74 for none and gaining momentum, led by Allen who was unlucky to fall three runs short of a well compiled hundred. Fierce on loose bowling and determined in defence, he was impressive and when he joined with Bridgman who was intent on upping the ante, we found ourselves staring down the Dormer barrel at 186/2 after 36 overs. However with the return of experience in Dickson and “Super” Mario, the boundaries dried up and dot balls prevailed. Finishing at 244 for 4 Southwest Schools probably left too much too late but we were clinical and determined and quite proud of the way we dried up the game.

It is such a great time to be a cricket fan and I think this World Cup could be our greatest yet – get forward and be positive.

[2image]

[3image]