We were pleased to welcome Otago Boys’ High to our ground a day earlier this year, allowing them the luxury to practise on grass on Saturday. Wet conditions at home have restricted them to use of artificial pitches thus far. This extra session gave them an additional 60 overs playing on grass wickets; something their coach — former NZ opener Craig Cumming — believes will be invaluable leading into the all-important schools Gillette Cup competition. They really made the most of a full weekend of cricket.

The home side won the toss and elected to bowl first in perfect conditions. The Willows were pleased to include three schoolboys in our side for this fixture, including Archie Reekie (fresh off 99 for the St Andrew’s 1st XI the previous day), Josh Bridgman (Riccarton High School wicketkeeper) and all-rounder Jayden McIntyre from the country home schools. Similar to The Barbarians rugby team, The Willows like to include an “uncapped” schoolboy and two OBHS Old Boys (Andrew Haig and Lance Taylor) each week in our side to play alongside our experienced older players.

Arsh Singh and Paul Miller made good use of the new ball and within the first ten overs had reduced the Otago Boys’ team to 47/4; a seemingly hopeless position for the schoolboy side. However as they say in the old adage “Cricket is a funny game”. This rang true as the Southern lads showed some real grit to fight their way back. Stan Woolliscroft bowled a tidy ten over spell. Jayden McIntyre chipped in with three handy wickets as OBHS were bowled out for 215. The coach’s sons Jacob (27) and Zack Cumming (43) contributed well with Jayden Miller who was last out for a well-compiled 79.

Brent Fleming and Matthias Paltridge opened the batting for The Willows against a well-disciplined new ball attack and we were soon in early trouble. Not even in-form Archie Reekie could restrict the damage. Apart from Paul Miller and Arsh Singh the rest of The Willows line-up failed to capitalise on the good batting conditions. It proved a comfortable victory for the schoolboys who reclaimed the Frank Cameron trophy.