It was a pleasure to welcome The Glimmer XI to The Willows to experience a ground bathed in magnificent Canterbury sunshine.

Glimmer agreed to bowl first and had immediate success in gaining two early wickets. However, Gerry Penford a professional from Zimbabwe playing his first game for The Willows, was joined by club stalwart Phil Harris and together they compiled a 100 run partnership before Gerry was well caught for 79 off 67 balls. The runs continued as Harris was joined by the very capable Danny Dowds and their partnership produced 81 for the 4th wicket.

Later in the innings it was a pleasure to see positive and confident batting from Hamish Donkers and Jeremy Benton, who debuted for The Willows as Year 11 students from Christchurch Boys’ High School.

The outstanding bowler for The Glimmer XI was Ben Stevens who was demanding throughout his 10 over spell.

In reply, The Glimmer XI batted steadily but were restricted initially by tight bowling from Gerry Penford, James Cannan and Jeremy Benton, the latter a very promising left arm spinner who bowled into the wind with 5 maidens in his 10 over spell. In the end, The Willows commanding total of 263 could not be bettered. The match finished ust after 5 o’clock, which gave ample time to sample some of Waikato’s prime beef that had been provided most generously by our visitors and barbecued magnificently.