On a beautiful 30 degree day it was important that The Willows team bat first and score enough runs to set the game up. I was also hoping that by mid afternoon a cooling breeze would arrive.

Apart from the game, there was the notable feature of three father and son combinations:

• Chris (Willows) and Luke (St Andrews) Doig
• John and Andrew McRae (both Willows)
• Paul and Matthew McEwan (both Willows)

We all witnessed Chris Doig’s first runs at The Willows! Chris has been a member since the club’s inception. Congratulations! He was excused fielding duties after his batting effort and was replaced by Matthew McEwan in The Willows bowling line up.

The Willows openers Mike Hamel and John McRae put on 63 for the first wicket in 68 balls and then David Bond and Michael Johnston added 80 for the third wicket. All the St Andrews bowlers and fielders stuck to their guns in the very hot conditions with Ryan McCone and Nick Durham being the pick of them. The Willows finished with 235/7 after a quickfire 31 from Brandon Hiini at the end.

St Andrew‘s struggled early losing both openers at 13, but a fine fourth wicket partnership between Ben McCord (47) and Paul Duncan (59) moved the score to 143. From then on they lost wickets at almost 10 run intervals. In the end they fell 17 runs short with three overs to spare.

If the boys had managed to keep a few wickets in hand they would have put themselves into a winning position as The Willows had used its most dangerous bowler (Allott 2/29). The Willows finished up relying on Paul McEwan (3/32) and son Matthew (2/18) to take them through to a win. It was an excellent game enjoyed by both teams and the many supporters of both the Club and parents of the St Andrew’s College team. And yes, the cool afternoon breeze did come up to help The Willows in the field.