Because last year’s fixture was washed out for the first time between these two sides, it was great to arrive at The Willows and be greeted by a fantastic day for cricket.

St Bede‘s College captain C Bartholomeusz won the toss and elected to bat first on another quality Willows pitch.

The Willows Captain was worried about the game from discussions during morning tea about the performances that the opposition had achieved during the season, but the enthusiasm of his team allowed the game to start ten minutes early, apparently a first for The Willows.

St Bede’s College started cautiously, reaching 46 before the loss of the first wicket. The second fell at 62, followed by a tremendous partnership of 115 runs between Bartholomeusz and R Koorey that set the foundation for St Bede’s College to reach a big total.

Bartholomeusz was unlucky not to score a second century for the weekend being stumped for 91. Koorey scored 37 and T Muir finished the innings off with a well complied 39 off 29 balls to set The Willows a competitive total of 259/7.

C Robertson led The Willows bowlers with three wickets and was supported by tidy spells from P O’Donnell and S Boock.

Unfortunately, the chase was not led well by The Willows captain, out caught first ball of the innings, an incident that he has forgotten but is reminded of almost everyday (probably for the rest of his life!).

Most batsmen for The Willows managed to get a start but at 66/4 off 18 overs, the target looked demanding!

Both C Rennell and J Boyle batted well for their 19 runs apiece, but the highlight for The Willows was M McIntyre’s innings of 64. He was ably supported by a cracking innings of 43 off 29 balls by O’Donnell that almost secured The Willows a famous and very unlikely victory! The St Bede’s College bowling unit backed their batsmen with a fine bowling display.

C Bartholomuez deserved his “Man of the Match” award adding three wickets to his runs. I King, B Enoka and M Teale collected two wickets apiece, and along with T Muir restricted The Willows to 237/9.

Congratulations to St Bede’s College for their impressive display and attitude. I’ve been lucky enough to play in most of these matches for The Willows since being captain of St Bede’s College in the inaugural match in 1994/95. I can say that the current side looks as good, if not better for talent and promise than any other I’ve seen.