The Willows batted first and got off to a great start with Bradley Entwistle and Tom Music putting on 112 for the first wicket. Brad continued the momentum but the rest struggled to get going against some good bowling and fielding from Shirley Boys’. Brad eventually retired on 100, and a few lusty blows from Ryan Burson (26, runs not age) got us through to 230 all out in the final over. The best bowlers for Shirley Boys’ were skipper Jayan Goldsworthy 3/30 and Benji Irvine 3/28.

The visitors got off to a good start thanks to the generous bowling from the Headmaster to which Mitch Gilmore took a liking. He went through to 45 before being caught behind off his Form Tutor and Willows debutant Enoka Taufua (2/33). Nigel Marsh (2/28) bowled very well with ten on the trot and Ryan Burson showed glimpses of his first-class career, in between a couple of nine ball overs. Jayan Goldsworthy (68) held the innings together, until the headmaster and skipper 3/41 came on to clean up the tail. Shirley Boys’ were all out for 193. An excellent game on a very hot day, and with a lot of support from the Shirley parents which was great to see.