The annual fixture between Timaru Boys’ High School and The Willows XI consisting of many past Timaru players, was played out in great spirits again this year. Although TBHS ended on the losing side, there were many highlights for the young team during the day. In the field they were able to pick up wickets consistently throughout their 50 overs and eventually bowl The Willows out for 264. The pick of the bowlers was C Hogan who picked up 4/54 from his ten overs and was ably supported by J Coupland with 2/32. The Willows total was built around an excellent knock from David Wakefield with a well compiled 82 but the total didn’t seem competitive enough until a crucial contribution from Andrew McRae with a classy 66 with the lower order in company.

TBHS in reply got off to a steady start with the opener M Otley making 34 and C Hogan once again starring for his team with a patient 49. Unfortunately the inexperienced Timaru side wasn’t able to keep up with the required run rate and was eventually bowled out for 168 with wickets being shared around all the bowlers. While it’s always a tough outing for school teams to play against such an experienced XI, I feel the boys would have learned valuable lessons about the subtle aspects of the game.