The annual fixture against Hawkswood is always an eagerly anticipated event, particularly as over the past 13 seasons The Willows have only scored two wins with the result that Hawkswood now arrive at the ground with the Trophy already inscribed with their name on it for the attending match!

Phil Dickson won the toss and immediately elected to bat with his side soon in trouble at 2 for 27. However, an excellent innings from Phil of 48, together with his colleagues James Stevenson, normally regarded as a quickish opening bowler, and Sam Deans, saw the 50 overs completed at 226 for 8.

The Willows bowling was accurate as ever with Geoff Allott and Jacob Wolt claiming three wickets a piece however their efforts were in vain as The Willows were only able to accumulate 151 based on reasonable efforts from Matthew Fielding, Ross Bayliss and Steve Lester who was playing his first game for the Club.

Sam Deans, son of the new Australian rugby coach, bowled magnificently as did James Stevenson. So once again, The Willows came up short and now registers two wins out of 14 games played against the Hawkswood Wanderers.

The overall day was enhanced with the arrival of Father Christmas together with his fairies, donkeys and ponies all for the benefit of the significant number of children and parents who attended the day.

No game against the Wanderers is complete without the presence of the founder and life member of the Wanderers, Roger Macfarlane, who has together with his colleagues, accomplished so much over so many years for the benefit of North Canterbury cricket at Cheviot.