It stared out hot and sunny....but rain was on the way.

It was great to see SBC back at The Willows to try and take the trophy off us.

The intel was SBC had a good squad and the deck had some life in it given mid week rain. The Willows made a group decision to flip the coin and if we won we would bowl...... The Willows won the toss and did indeed chose to bowl.

The brothers Haines (Jack and Max) opened the attacked and bowled extremely well. SBC was reeling at 3 for 21. To be fair skipper Jim Foley chopped one on and Fergus Hanarahan was brilliantly caught and bowled by Max.

Henry Donaldson was dismissed for a battling but important 19 to steady the ship.

Enter Max Boyle (81) and Jack Hislop (111). The two of them put on a fine partnership of 174. They batted brilliantly. Max was very patient and scored in his areas and turned over the strike. Jack’s innings was superb with some fine stroke play mixed in with aggression. One lofted cover drive from in to out was the shot of the day. A hundred at The Willows is something Jack won’t forget. It was excellent to see two young men not panic and put together an excellent partnership.

It was also very enjoyable to play with Olly Birkett and Toby Pilkington from Matfen CC in the UK. Both fine men and bowled well. Safe travels home lads.

Lachie McLeod our young 15 year old schoolboy from Rangiora High School was our player of the day. His figures of 1 for 54 off 8 don’t tell the story of how well he bowled and in particular his bowling at the death, he executed his plan on where was trying to bowl. All the team thought for his age it was very impressive. Hence he was our player of the day.

So SBC ended up on 268 for 6 off 50. A very challenging but gettable target for a youthful and talented Willows team...........and then the rain...........it poured and that was that. The Willows only faced one over. It probably summed up this summer.

We all await the rematch next season.

Once again it is a privilege to skipper The Willows. Thanks again to the lads who played and a big thanks for all The Willowers who make the club tick.

Paul Miller