In contrast to last year’s annual fixture against the Christchurch Boys’ High School 1st XI, this year’s match was played in fine weather throughout. In 1998 the Willows team would probably acknowledge it was saved by bad light and rain! This year no help from the elements was needed as the guile and experience of age overcame youth and enthusiasm.

We elected to bat on winning the toss, but ran into early difficulties against a varied and accurate attack. Apart from a sound 36 by opener Gareth Brooks, none of the first five batsmen achieved double figures and at one stage we were 107 for 5. However, a marvellous 100 retired from Garry Thomson, full of powerful and elegant stroke play, saw us through to a competitive 205 . Our plight was not helped by 3 run outs which were mainly the result of excellent fielding by the opposition (although some of us rather misjudged the ravages of age in attempting quick singles which may have been possible 20 years ago !).

In reply, Christchurch Boys’ started confi­dently and brightly and kept up with the required run rate. Un­fortunately they lost wickets at regular in­tervals without being able to build any substantial partnerships and finally fell 40 runs short of their target. In particular, they found the accuracy and flight of the left-arm spinners, Stephen Boock and Andrew Nuttall, too difficult to overcome. It was an education to watch these two fine bowlers working away at the batsmen’s technique and patience.

The game was played in a fine spirit and a lot of the credit for this must go to the School team and its management. They came immaculately turned out and at all times their behaviour and attitude was impeccable. A number of them obviously have a bright future in the game and we wish them well.