A quick trip across the park on the Dormer pickup to where the Southland Boys’ were warming up, followed by a brief discussion, led to the decision that The Willows would bat. On a fine day with a quick outfield John Garry and Mario Williams initially battled against some sharp bowling and fielding. When John departed in the tenth over with the score at 47, however, a good start had been negotiated and this was continued by Mario and Ben Cant as they took the score through to 172 when Ben departed for 60. Mario continued on to be not out at the end on 86 as The Willows finished on 265 for 7. For Southland the opening bowlers N McCullum and B Andrews impressed while R Acland with 3 for 55 was the most successful.

In reply K Geary and L McWilliam battled through to 44 against some hostile bowling by Daniel Stanley and Les Humphris who at times had the ball rearing off a length. With the openers departure things quickly deteriorated with four wickets falling for 5 runs and at 4 for 49 the game seemed over. Southland however, never gave it away and with the help of some variable bowling (54 wides) they hung in to get to 170 for 6. Some good hitting and brave defending by J Diack (30 not out) and B Hansen hinted at an upset but a late slump saw three more wickets fall for 10 and the game was over.

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