A youthful Willows XI assembled to welcome the Waimea College XI for their first game ever at The Willows, with two of their members flying down from Nelson early in the morning after finishing work at midnight.

Batting first The Willows innings was highlighted by an outstanding opening partnership between Tim Hampton-Matehe and Hamish McCarthy. Hamish, whose previous visit to the crease resulted in a duck, compiled a very polished 100 (retired) and Tim Hampton-Matehe was dismissed for 65. Hamish’s innings was laced with exquisitely timed boundaries mixed with bold running between the wickets. His opening stand of 179 with Tim laid a platform for Hamish Teale and Cameron Rennell to push on and complete a substantial 307/5.

The total does not do justice however to some very good bowling at times. Both Hamish and Tim will attest to a number of very good deliveries that beat the bat on many occasions. The lack of consistency at important times however allowed the batsmen to take full toll.

Opening with George Earl and his off spinners, Waimea got off to a difficult start losing an early wicket and the tight line and length bowling of both George and Brendon Wellington meant Waimea never threatened The Willows score. The youthful Paul McEwan was called to the bowling crease and completed a 10 over spell on the trot without success.

The Waimea college lads applied themselves very capably with the skipper Tom Ingram scoring an excellent 80 in a total of 202.