The Willows won the toss and elected to field with the opening bowlers O’Connell and Stewart bowling a tight length which restricted the Emus to 30/2 by the 9th over.

Daniel Vann and Sam Noster who followed, were also difficult to score from. Baillie and Bills batted patiently and established a partnership of significance which lifted the scoring rate in the latter overs with Baillie compiling a classy 89 and Bills a useful 65 in their partnership of 132, which was ultimately the winning of the match.

The Willows started brightly and at 63/1 looked in control as Yugaraja stroked eight boundaries in a quick fire 42. Regretfully The Willows then lost 6 wickets for 40 leaving the innings in tatters at 103 for 7. However in “the tail” Danny Dowds and Ben Laughton hit the ball well in a partnership of 48 but sadly to no avail.

The Emus tour was inaugurated in 1954 by Mr Jim White who owned considerable land holdings in the north west of New South Wales. Jim was most passionate about youth cricket with tours to and from both countries since then until Canterbury Cricket cancelled the arrangement in 2011. Fortunately Country Cricket came to the rescue and will in future organise matches in Christchurch, Blenheim, Nelson and the West Coast thus retaining the tradition built up over a period of 58 years.

A trophy will be played for biannually known as the Don Neely Trophy.