Showing remarkable enthusiasm for a game of cricket, the Southland Boys’ side arrived at the ground early morning having flown up from Invercargill, and due back at the airport for the return journey at 7pm. They showed commendable resilience after The Willows won the toss and batted as Sam Noster and Michael Peacock were clearly under the impression it was a 3pm return flight. When Sam retired on 101 in the 21st over with the score at 156, John Garry and Michael continued the onslaught. A cameo from Robert Dunne allowed The Willows to declare at 276/4 in the 41st over and ease the pressure on Southland’s travel plans. The Southland team stuck at their task well in favourable batting conditions with C Lindsay being the pick of the attack.

The Willows attack made early inroads and at 116/7 in the 29th over Southland continued to be in trouble. However, with K Mitchell initially and then H Burns and J Tohill playing with freedom, the score raced to 193 in the 40th over and a faint frown began to form on the skipper’s face. As often happens though one wicket brought two, followed by a third and the innings closed at 200. For The Willows Robert Dunne with three wickets and Michael Peacock and Todd Sutton with two each, were the pick of the bowlers.