The Collegiate 1st XI couldn’t have asked for a better start to their southern tour. They outplayed a useful Willows team in a polished and well executed display.

A barrage of quick and medium bowlers never let any of the Willows batsmen settle. The bowlers were well supported in the field and by their slick ‘keeper Andrew Fullerton-Smith. It was only some useful batting from Dermot Payton (24) and Andrew McRae (35) that prevented a total rout.

A score of 137 was never going to be enough to defend. The visitors kept their cool, stuck to their game plan and with good shot selection, keen running between wickets and encouragement from their many supporters they easily hauled in the required score.

Well done to Ben Collier and his team. The Dermot Payton Trophy heads to the North Island for the first time—and deservedly so.