The Willows won the toss and elected to bat on a dry and brown pitch. After losing its first wicket with the score on one, Matthew Fielding and Andrew Fullerton-Smith steadied the ship with an outstanding 1 38 run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Both left-handers made the most of good batting conditions to post half centuries with Matthew going on to post the top score of the match with a stylish 86 and Andrew a solid 56.

Continued momentum came from the middle order with Jeremy Kench (23) and Andrew Ellis (BHS) (35) lifting the scoring rate with some hard hitting, both innings were punctuated with • boundaries. The Willows finishing with a good score of 268 for 6 with the Combined Secondary Schools’ eleven working hard in the field and with the ball until the end of the fifty overs.

The Willows took to the field to defend its total. The Combined Schools’ side started well with a first wicket partnership of 27 between Yuapraja and Russell. The introduction of spin from both ends saw a dramatic change in the batting side’s fortunes with Fraser Hawes and Glen Colvin making immediate inroads.

Fraser finishing with 5 for 15 well supported by Glen with 4 for 6.

Our thanks must go to the unsung heroes in Peter Nancarrow for your match management, the umpire Gary Beer for attending to both ends, Tony Campbell the scorer and the grounds team. Also many thanks to the catering team.