A warm day greeted teams on the first day of The Willows’ season. An excellent pitch encouraged the South Canterbury team to bat upon winning the toss.

The openers provided a solid start posting 59 on the board before the first wicket fell. B. Ward batted very well for his 38.

Once Bruce Cameron was introduced into The Willows’ attack plying his wily leg spinners, wickets fell regularly and the run rate slowed. Both McKenzie and Humphris added an unbeaten 9th wicket partnership of 68 which enabled the South Canterbury team to reach 218/8 after their 50 overs.

The Willows’ openers Brandon Hiini and Andrew Ellis saw The Willows off to a rollicking start, with both scoring half centuries in an opening stand of 122. They were followed by Chris McGoldrick with 38 who, with Wade Burrell, saw The Willows home with six overs to spare and six wickets in hand.