The Willows v Christ’s College 1st XI on 27 October 1996

Season 1996/97

Head-to-head

The Willows first played against Christ’s College 1st XI in the 1994/95 season.

Ben Cottrell Trophy

Ben Cottrell was a fine all-round cricketer who played for Christ’s College in the very first Willows match in October 1994. Ben hailed from a proud Christchurch sporting family that included his All Black grandfather Beau Cottrell and father Hugh, who was also a Willower. An offspinner and middle order batsman who played with both skill and great humour, Ben represented the Christ’s 1st XI with distinction for two years and played for Canterbury at age-group levels. He died aged just 18 as the result of a swimming accident, having smashed his last three balls for four at Elmwood Park not long before.

Played

Won

Lost

v Christ’s College 1st XI

Sunday, 27 October 1996Report by Paul McEwan

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Christ’s College 195/4

P Fulton 80* , S Harding 49

The Willows 69

S Thompson 4/21, J Hill3/15

The Willows
lost by 126 runs

If we were awarding points based on performance, Christ’s College would receive 9 out of 10 and the Willows one half point for turning up.

Christ’s elected to bat on yet another beautiful day and, after a relatively slow start, six runs from the first six avers, they continued to build the innings well with Fulton (80) and Harding (49) pushing the score to 195 for four off the 50 overs. The Willows side was confident of achieving this score, but unaware of the commitment of the Christ’s College bowling attack.

Thomson and Hill, the opening attack, took seven for 36 between them. Thanks to a few extras, Willows reached an up and down 69. This was an appropriate score – this ‘up’ was the only upside of the Willows’ performance.

Congratulations Christ’s College. We look forward to revenge next season.