The prospect of a fine December day and a little dew on the pitch induced the shrewd Willows captain to invite London NZ to take first use of the wicket. He got this bit right. The Hudson brothers, Matthew and Hamish, provided the only substantial resistance to steady but spirited bowling from Adrian McFedries, Carl Anderson (2/14 from ten overs), Stephen Gibson and Troels Nielsen, so that soon after lunch LNZ were all back in the hutch for a modest 210. The main amusement of the innings was provided by the captain’s inability to pouch three relatively straightforward chances.

The confident Willows batting line-up, not for the first time, looked rather better on paper than at the crease. Only Adrian McFedries managed a substantial total, with limited support from Carl Anderson, Stephen Gibson and Jarrod Ward. The captain’s innings appropriately summed up his day; striding to wicket at No 11 to join Joe Bennett, with 22 still to make for victory, he snicked a couple of lucky ones and then lobbed a dolly from Keith Yardley down mid-off’s throat. LNZ victorious by eleven runs. My apologies to the team.