Play got underway at Loburn on time despite some overnight rain and a soggy block. The Willows openers Paul Knight and Josh Bridgman got the home team off to a flyer. Josh hit some sublime drives in his 64. A middle order slump was arrested by a bright knock from Nigel Collins who soon deposited the ball over the rope. The team managed a respectable total of 253 runs. Mt Hutt College’s seamer Tyler Maher was their best bowler and he thoroughly deserved his four wicket return.

The visitors could only sit on the deck and take notes as Micah Walther dismantled their top order. His ten overs on the trot reaped the outstanding figures of 6/15! Great fight was shown by John Stanway and Toby Grant who staged a late seventh wicket come-back to see their side through to three-figures at the end. It left enough time for captain Adam Hastilow and the experienced Paul Knight to sit down with the Mid Canterbury XI to share a few positives and work-ons for over the season.