Eleven Willowers had a ball in this match against the MCC Club XI. It was a brilliant end to a wonderful summer.

A tied match. Only the third in the Club’s history! And against a confident, competitive and younger MCC touring side. A game that ended 196 runs apiece!

Before mention of our side it is appropriate to acknowledge our opponents. Right from their arrival, warm up and opening innings it was good to have visitors that were serious, focused and keen to represent their prestigious club with pride.

Our boys? Each player deserves a rap: Player of the Day Warren Eddington (runs, wickets and a stunning catch), Peter Devlin (also a wonderful catch), David Bond (a match saving innings, again!), rookie Richard Hayward, Rev. Hawke and Troels Nielsen (all superb spells with the ball), Andrew Nuttall (bowled at both the opening and the death with panache), the inimitable Joe Bennett (our ‘keeper who chimed in with valuable runs), Derek Burrell (no runs but a useful sixth bowler), Mike Hastings (handy runs) and John Mitchell (a 20-odd at the top of the innings).I

n all, a great day played in late March heat. Best of all was the fun, good cricket and banter amongst fellow Willowers in a game that proved a nail-biter.

Our Patron, Walter Hadlee attended all day. We treasured his company. When the tension rose in those final overs Walter’s mind went to those wonderful words of Sir Henry Newbolt:

“Ten to make and the match to win A bumping pitch and a blinding light, An hour to play and the last man in”.

So ends the 2001/02 season with a tie against the MCC.