The Willows XI won the toss and elected to bat on a tremendous Willows wicket.

George Earl, a member of the St Bede’s College 1st XI, opened our innings and batted at times with maturity beyond his years, carrying his bat throughout the entire innings for a magnificent unbeaten 82.

That was about as good as it got for The Willows XI and although Hugh Wright played a lovely cameo at the end with 31 not out, we could only muster up a disappointing 210. Not enough on this wicket and with the side comprising three ’keepers, two medium pacers and six spinners (three of whom were unable to bowl), we were in for a battle.

The blistering pace of Colin Hight and Matt Hudson combined well to help knock the top off the Peninsula Craz innings and with George Earl chiming in with 3 good wickets we were into them. Unfortunately for The Willows XI we were haemorrhaging too many runs between the good balls and although the scorecard flattered us somewhat, in the end we were well and truly beaten by the better team on the day.

However, it’s a loss that is a bit easier to stomach as you drive home as it’s always a pleasure playing the venerable Peninsula Craz XI. It’s a splendid fixture, as is their company.