On what was a bright Sunday morning, The Willows won the toss and elected to bat with the objective of posting a score of 250 plus, which was considered adequate against the Hawkswood XI who had supplemented their farming contingent with the Wallaby Rugby Coach Robbie Deans, a senior Willower Andrew Nuttall, and their respective sons Sam and Henry who are both University students.

The excellent opening partnership by James Watson and Justin Vaughan was supported with two good innings by Mike Singleton and Sam Davis but alas once again, a score of 157 looked far too inadequate.

Fine food including fruit salad was accompanied by threatening skies so much so that the arrival of Father Christmas and his two fairies came a little earlier than anticipated with many children enjoying the sweets, drinks, ice-creams and of course the presents which were distributed by the man himself. Between hosting the children on his knee in the pavilion, the donkeys, ponies and horses were actively engaged in providing rides for other children whilst The Willows claimed just one wicket until the thunder and rain came tumbling down with Hawkswood at 1 for 24.

A quickly arranged Willows Committee Meeting was held at which it was pronounced that under such climatic conditions the team who posted the highest first wicket score would be declared the winner. Mr Deans, on behalf of the Hawkswood Wanderers, objected most strongly and stated The Willows next morning would see the trophy firmly ensconced in the home of their patron Roger Macfarlane!

The Salvation Army were most appreciative for the presents brought to the ground by visiting children to be distributed to those less fortunate.

The Willows will ensure the team to meet Hawkswood in December 2010 will be sufficiently strong to provide an upset – humiliation has been all too frequent over the past 16 seasons.

The Willows appreciated greatly the number of supporters from both sides who attended the day’s festivities.