I’m always a big fan of batting first when it’s howling nor’west and there is rain in the forecast.

We were delighted to have our Cricketer Sir Anand Satyanand and his wife Lady Susan with us for the match against his old school and in some inspiring words to us, he reminded the lads it felt like an institution he has never really left.

Some early spirited bowling by Sacred Heart had The Willows interestingly poised at 50 for 3. Then Chris Mugford came to the rescue in compiling 85 runs with shots all around the ground. Chris was unlucky not to go on and score a century and thereby gain honour board status.

There is nothing like an early wicket to start the rot or a couple for that matter. But at 116 for 3 and some of the visiting batsmen looking set for high scores, we needed some magic. The leg spin of Dave Wakefield was to turn the game; after four overs into the wind he had 3 for 12 and our tails were rising. But D Philips with a powerful and poised 65 had the game heading back to Sacred Heart at 189 for 6. Fortunately, in his second spell it was Chris O’Connell who blasted out the tail and finished with 4 for 13, taking the Willows to a one run victory.