he early morning rain did little to dampen the sunny dispositions of a Willows team that assembled to play the Dermot Payton led Wanganui side.

Winning the toss was the easy part of the day’s decision-making, as the question of batting or bowling was com­ pounded by the coverage of the NPC final kicking off at 3.00pm. Sanity prevailed over laxity thankfully, and theWillows team took first use of a wicket that had been slightly juiced up.

The batting line up was a formidable one with Malcolm Ellis demoted to number six which surely served only to deflate the Collegiate guys as they surveyed the batting order pinned triumphantly in front of their noses.The line up did not disappoint and steady contributions led by Sir Richard Hadlee and Lee Germon saw the Willows accumulate a very competitive 223 for 6. Sir Richard was heard to remark that it was unusual to see two “ has beens” feature so prominently!

NeilMaxwell made 33, but the feature of his innings was the timing ... not of the ball, but of his dismissal ... just before lunch, to ensure he was able to eat substantially, but more importantly, so the next man in (Sir Richard) could eat equally as unsubstantially.

The Wanganui Collegiate bowlers did a very good job and it was heartening to see the use of three spinners.

Wanganui started their run chase faster thanWinston ran to Labour and raced away at six an over before the timely intervention of afternoon tea. The Boston Buns did the trick however, and with the introduction of our imported Ian Huston and his off-spinners the Wanganui innings was quickly in trouble at 117 for 8. lan took one of the quickest five wicket bags seen, and with the help ofWadeCornelius, Hamish Devine, Richard Hadlee, Marcel McKenzie and Malcolm Ellis, the twelve Wanganui batsmen were dismissed for 202.

Behind the wickets Matt Wright kept very well and Gary Thomson andMike Fisher exhibited vigor in the field.

This was a very good match and a fantastic opportunity for the Wanganui Collegiate boys to rub shoulders with some experienced “ has beens” in a wonderful environment.

Mike Dormer, however, is not taking any credit for preparing Wanganui Collegiate for their clash with Christ’s College which Collegiate won easily.