This was a day for revenge after the previous year’s performance when the Willows cricket team was soundly beaten by Christ’s College. This year was different however – like most sporting clubs (including NZ cricket) – we sacked the selectors, the Manager and half the team but retained the Captain and key players such as Joe Bennett.

On a very hard, well prepared track, Christ’sCollege were asked to bat against a relatively unknown Willows attack. All of the College players made starts but unfortunately for them, no one went past 23. Tim Foster, who batted almost an hour at number four for his 23, looked comfortable. Of the Willows bowlers, Anthony Timpson conceded 30 from his 10 overs while Robert Miller conceded just 23. Both went wicketless, but their efforts put enough pressure on theCollege batsmen to force them into errors against the wily old campaigners.

Behind the stumps for theWillows, Joe Bennett excelled, despite the pressure to perform in front of the likes of Lee German and Mark Lane. His catch and stumping along with conceding only one bye made for a great day for him – the slips were also kept amused to say the least!

In the 48th over, Christ’s College were dismissed for a modest but defendable 183. They weren’t aware of what was to be served up to them by Willows openers RobertMiller and Darin Cusack. These two shared an unbroken stand of 184 in just 40 overs with Robert 83 not out and Darin 73 not out. They batted superbly against a varied attack spear­ headed by Hamish Devine who bowled at a brisk pace.

All the College fielders stuck to their guns, but it was.a day for the Willows, winning by 10 wickets.