The Willows batted first on a wicket that had a bit of spice early. Immediately, the St Bede’s seamers had us reeling at 4/41. To the rescue stepped up Josh McCarthy who first put on a 74 run stand with Mark Reid and then a further 75 runs with Joey Pawson. Josh went on to score his maiden Willows hundred, an innings with a mix of aggressive stroke play and working the field. The upshot was The Willows ended up with 232/6 off 50. The SBC bowlers stuck to their game plan well and they were supported in the field with a couple of screamer catches.

In response SBC got off to a flyer, with multiple boundaries. Things tightened with the entry of Joey Pawson and Lachie McLeod. Sam Chapman held the top of the innings together with a well compiled 59. When Max Boyle was dismissed (28) out strode the SBC skipper Joseph Whalley, who with Sam put on an excellent partnership of 106. This put SBC right back in the hunt at 179/5. Later Dylan Cox hit a couple of ‘bombs’ but the run-rate was a bit too steep and the boys fell agonisingly short in another enthralling game of cricket at The Willows. Thanks to Matthew Hill and his son Robert who officiated the match. Young Robert was about to sit his umpire’s exam and we hope to see a lot of him in coming years.