This penultimate match of the season was again played in perfect weather conditions and the game itself wasn’t bad either. It was agreed to reduce the match to 45 overs, and with the warm conditions this was very well received by both teams.

The Willows won the toss and elected to bat. An excellent opening partnership of 75 runs between Mike Satterthwaite and Matt Wright was impressive as the wicket offered some assistance early on. Another 83 run partnership between the inform Wright and Greg Stretch saw the Willows well placed at lunch for the loss of only three wickets. Matt Wright completed a very good century, facing 103 balls and hitting 13 fours. His retirement eight minutes before lunch saw the momentum lost and in the eleven overs after the lunch break some astute bowling and field placements by the captain of Woodbank, Phil D’Auvergne, held the Willows to a total of 201.

The Woodbank innings struggled early on thanks to a very tight line bowled by opening bowlers Stuart Stevens, Greg Stretch and first change bowler Barry Townrow. Opening bowler Stuart Stevens had the excellent figures of 2 wickets for 13 runs from his 5.3 overs. The Willows bowled only four wides compared to the 19 conceded by Woodbank.

Stephen Boock kept the pressure on with some of his old skill and combined well with off spinner Mike Hamel. Having quality spinners we saw some fine wicket keeping by Bob Judson with a very good stumping.

A great help in this fielding effort was having the services of young James Boock. He was especially appreciated by his father and Barry Townrow who were able to be strategically rested. Woodbank were not out of the game, but the stumping of Gardiner and run out of Diamanti swung the match firmly our way and the trophy was safe for another year.