A stunning autumnal day greeted Whanganui Collegiate for the penultimate game of the season. With two O’Learys representing The Willows and two in the Collegiate side it was always going to be a willing encounter.

The Willows chose to bat first. J Simpson (41) timed the ball beautifully and combined for a 76 run partnership for the second wicket with H O’Leary who plundered 30 off 33. When A McFedries began to bludgeon the ball to all parts the dressing room started to reset expectations. However, the steady procession of batsmen from ‘the arena’ stemmed the flow of runs. An all-rounder heavy Willows line-up saw eight batsman make double figures which resulted in a tidy but not insurmountable total of 189. Wickets were shared amongst the Collegiate bowlers with O Mabin and J Allpress two to impress.

Willowers’ plates weren’t overly stacked at lunch — a good indicator that there was still plenty of work to be done. The Willows opening bowlers took a wicket a piece. However, the run rate was still ticking along before two collegiate old boys came on at first change and they really set the visitors back. C Robson and C O’Leary took a brace apiece before S Woolliscroft cast his throw net well above the eyes resulting in two further wickets including the key one of C Hobbs who batted well through the middle order. Allpress and O’Leary combined in a tenth wicket stand of 31 before the innings was fittingly ended when T O’Leary pulled H O’Leary to square leg and C O’Leary took a screamer. Collegiate all out for 123 off 38 overs.