My memory fails me who actually won the toss in this game, but in this environment it is neither here nor there who has first use of the splendidly prepared wicket.

Seasoned professional Richard McGuire took the new ball with the same enthusiasm that I had witnessed 10 years earlier playing my first senior cricket game, and this reflected the enthusiasm of all Willowers on this occasion.

Timaru Boys’ High School had a steady start with Captain Mark Tutton showing some fine fighting qualities and it wasn’t until the seventh over did the Willows strike. First change bowler Adam Hastilow, secured the first wicket for the side and then went on to capture the top three Timaru Boy’s High School batsmen in his opening spell of six overs.

While Timaru Boys’ High School managed to get to 52/1 off the first 1 5 overs, a middle order collapse saw them reeling at 55/5 and then 75/7. The majority of the damage was caused by tight bowling by Mike Hamel and Patrick Reardon, the latter showing enough to suggest potential as an up and coming Canterbury player in years to come. Hamel finished with 1 /30 of his 10 overs, while Reardon finished with 1/13 off seven avers. Brendan Lucas also chipped in with two middle order wickets, while McGuire finished strongly to finish with 3/27 off his nine overs.

For Timaru Boys’ High School, a solid performance by Grigor saw him through to 31 , while a hard hitting 35 by Morrow was certainly a highlight for the School team and saw them through to a final score of 150.

The Willows reply was made easier by some big boundary hitting by opener Gary Thomson, who finished with 66. He and Graeme lnglis added 72 for the second wicket and at 104/2 we were well placed for a victory.

Opening bowlers Hamish Bennett and Hamish Dickson, showed good determination and it was pleasing to see them display controlled aggression and confidence at the start of the innings.

At 1/38 off nine overs the opening pair had performed a good role. However, Thomson went on to hit eight fours and three sixes to set up the match for lnglis and David Maw to finish off. Both lnglis and Maw played some wonderful strokes and it was fitting that the pair were not out when the target of 150 was reached.

A comfortable eight wicket victory for the Willows, although it was a gritty performance by a Timaru Boys’ High School side that showed some good individual talent and team spirit.