The day commenced with the Willows XI actually having twelve players, all arriving on time, but one not being required, in fact not even down to play.

Andrew Nuttall has always been very keen to play but obviously had his days mixed up. Our Team organiser, none other than Phil Harris, decided he could spend the rest of the day with his family and vacated a position to allow Mr Nuttall a spot. I’m sure Phil enjoyed the drive to our ‘hallowed turf’ anyway.

Willows.won the toss and elected to bat. A brisk start was given by Hamish Anderson and Andrew McRae. This rate continued until we started to losing wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 105/6 then 128/7. Enter Cleighton Cornelius and that ‘phantom', Andrew Nuttall. These two compiled59 runs to give us a competitive total of 187/7 from 50 overs. Cleighton was severe on all bowlers, compiling 52 not out off 54 balls. We went to lunch a little relieved that we at least had a competitive score.

As the Boys’ High team began their innings it was obvious that we were going to have a ‘battle royal’. Forty three runs for the first wicket, 31 for the second, and at 103/4 we were staring down the barrel of another humiliating loss (Willows captains had been sent a memo advising that we hadn’t won a game so far this season – the pressure was on).

Enter ‘The Phantom’ again. Andrew Nuttall joined the attack and started in a miserly fashion (3 maidens). Receiving ample support from Hamish Anderson (2/17) and Cleighton Cornelius (1/30), the Willows started reeling Boys’ High in.

Needing seven to win with the last pair at the wicket and two to win off the last ball, a run out was effected and the Willows were relieved winners, by two runs.

All in all a very good game, and perhaps CBHS should have won, but I’m sure they will learn from the experience.