On a day that initially threatened rain the conditions steadily improved as the match grew in excitement till the third ball of the 1 OOth over when Timaru Boys’ High School deservedly scored the winning runs in bright sunshine. The browned off outfield plus a good track was reason enough for the Willows to want to bat first. With our top order quickly out at 23 for 3 a big partnership was needed. Graeme lnglis was the man for the job and with good support from Cameron Stone (22) and Phil d'Auvergne (32) took the score through to 206 before he was retired for an excellent 103. A short tail wag saw the Willows through to a respectable 21 9/8. The two opening bowlers for Timaru Boys’ High both bowled particularly well in H Bennett 2/1 6 and H Dickson 2/33. Bennett was quite outstanding with good line, pace and movement. The rest of the bowlers also performed well never allowing the Willows batting to dominate. The fielding was of a high standard with the ‘keeper N Healey outstanding.

Any hope of containing the Timaru batting was quickly dispelled with a J Gloag onslaught in the 9 overs before tea going for 60 runs. A Hastilow’s opening spell of 4 over conceding 35 runs. The plan post tea was to contain by taking the pace off the ball. This was successful with wickets falling throughout the innings and at 40 avers and 5/1 68 we fancied our chances. Warren Eddington was outstanding with the ball taking 5/48 including 3 clean bowled. Good support came from Lyn Sparks 1/20 and Glen Colvin 0/26 off 10, but unfortunately our ‘keeper David Bond had a forgettable day and many chances went begging much to the amusement of his mate Darin Cusack. Credit to Timaru Boys’ though once both openers Gloag (51 ) and Grigor (57) departed B McCord scored a hard hit 39 and J Morrow saw the team home hitting the winning runs to be left 37 not out. lt was great to see the confidence the boys showed in the run chase and it was the experienced Willowers that eventually cracked under the pressure of the “death” bowling and fielding. Timaru Boys’ were justifiably excited by their deserved win.

lt was great to see all the support from the Timaru parents and also to have Sammy Guillen as the man of the match adjudicator for the day. Men of the match were H Ben nett for Timaru Boys’ and the centurion Graeme lnglis for the Willows.