The Willows captain won the toss and the St Andrew’s College coach (Willows member Ken Baker) decided that St Andrew’s would bowl first.

After a 53 run opening partnership between Brooks and Earnshaw, the Willows found itself in a little trouble at 81 for 5 with the experienced old hands of Peter Joyce, Rod Latham and Paul McEwan back in the pavilion. However, an 82 run partnership between Gareth Brooks (42) and David Bond (56) saw the Willows out of danger.

Sr Andrew’s did not have an express attack, so relied on a mixture of medium and spin with Wright and Barren standing out with their persistent nagging on a slow pitch. Wright finished with 3 for 38 from 10 overs and Barren 2 for 20.

Chasing 204, the St Andrew’s openers, Sharpe (17) and Eastgate (30) put on 52, but after this partnership was broken the side struggled to 107 for 5. Gargulio (42) batted well in the middle order and should have pressed on against a mixed attack of off­ spin, leg-spin and below-average part time bowlers who conceded 17 wides. Barren batting at seven played some forceful shots for his 33. An overall lack of determination to bat out the innings, plus some discussion of how the boys were going to score the runs became a disappointing aspect of their batting effort.

The Willows’ winning margin was 23 runs, but after some discussion with the boys at the conclusion of the game, I am sure they all benefitted from their outing to The Willows. It was great to see the family support – long may it continue!