The Willows won the imaginary toss and told Christ’s College that they would bat. In trouble at 93/5 in the face of demanding bowling from Ryan, Rattray and Deans Junior, Deans Senior took to attack with some success. Eyeing his century he was dismissed for a fine 87; Gallaway chipped in with 31 and The Willows stuttered to 252 all out. Sam Deans took 3/54 but Dunne was memorably accurate, finishing with just 26 runs from his 10 overs.

Things looked miserable as opening bowler for The Willows, Stevens, raced in for the first delivery and promptly pulled his hamstring. Coupled with just 7 runs with the bat, this was an inauspicious contribution and the selectors will be watching carefully for next year’s fixture! Christ’s College, aided by 52 from Harrison and 46 from captain Ryan, made 225 in another close encounter. The wickets were shared by a lifeless but accurate Willows attack.

A satisfying outing for The Willows which left the selectors purring to captain Gallaway that, after consecutive victories, the captaincy for this fixture is his in perpetuity!