The match took place on a windy but sunny Sunday. The Willows lost the toss and were inserted on a pitch that looked hard and fast.

Before the commencement of play there was a minute’s silence for Mark Parker (killed in the Bali bombing), Milton Tindall (long serving umpire) and Arthur Cresswell (former Central Districts and New Zealand cricketer).

The Willows innings started slowly with Marlborough Boys’ capturing the wickets of Gourdie and Cunliffe early. With the fall of Cunliffe’s wicket Diamanti joined Anderson in a partnership that produced 184 runs. Both players demonstrated why they were in their respective first-class squads. Diamanti was particularly aggressive hitting several sixes over the trees on the pavilion side of the ground. At the time it was commented that one of Diamanti’s sixes was the biggest seen on the ground! When both players reached their centuries they were retired which allowed for little cameos at the end of the innings by Lane and lnnes. The Willows reached 281/7 at the end of their 50 overs.

The Marlborough Boys’ innings started poorly with Pearce being bowled in the first over. With a Willows bowling attack that contained four current or ex first class bowlers, it was always going to be an up hill struggle for the Marlborough side. Opening batsman, White (20) and middle order batsman Murphy (24) both showed good determination at the crease. However it was Nuttall’s day. Using all his experience and guile Nuttall ended up with four wickets for just a miserly 22 runs off his nine avers. In the end Marlborough Boys’ were dismissed for 125 off 36 overs.

The Willows won the match by 159 runs. The joint men of the match were the century makers, Anderson and Diamanti.