The Willows v Shirley Boys’ High School 1st XI on 7 December 2025

Season 2025/26

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The Willows first played against Shirley Boys’ High School 1st XI in the 2000/01 season.

Steve Garland Trophy

Educated at Linwood High School (1968–1973), Steve was a medium-pace outswing bowler and tail-end batsman for St Albans Cricket Club in Christchurch, known for his friendly and affable nature. He earned an MA and dedicated 42 years (1979–2019) to teaching History and Social Studies at Shirley Boys’ High School, serving 27 seasons as cricket coach and master-in-charge. Under his guidance, SBHS 1st XI became a dominant force in Christchurch cricket, helping shape the careers of future Black Caps including Darrin Murray, Michael Papps, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Gary Stead, and Richard Petrie. A man committed to education, sport, and nurturing young talent.

Played

Won

Lost

v Shirley Boys’ High School 1st XI

Sunday, 7 December 2025Report by Tim Grocott Headmaster/Tumuaki Shirley Boys High School Match Manager

Previous match Next match

The Willows 267/8

B Irvine 71 J Mockford 67 T Music 42 L Stocker 3-31

Shirley BHS 160

L Stocker 41 J Wilson 36 J Pawson 3-9

The Willows
won by 107 runs

Willows vs. Shirley Boys’ High School 8 December 2025

The Willows have had a rescheduling of their game with Shirley Boys’ High School, and it is now excellent timing as Shirley Boys’ finish their school year. The Willows won the toss and elected to bat first. The Willows team included seven Shirley old boys including former Head Boy and Canterbury player Ryan Burson, current teachers and a Willows debut for Myran Moore and Benji Irvine.

The Willows got off to a decent start with Tom Music (42) and Tim Hampton-Matehe (21), and solid partnerships were formed with Myran Moore (37). Jack Mockford batted very well and enjoyed his time in the middle for 67. Shirley Boys’ High School bowled very well to the Willows. They stuck well to their lines, but probably needed to bowl to their fields a little better. As the heat and the wind picked up, Benji Irvine took toll on the bowling to score 71, putting on a good partnership with Jack Mockford. Shirley Boys’ continued to fight and bowled well to take eight of the Willows wickets who ended up on 267 from their 50 overs. Liam Stocker (3 for 33 from 9), Hadley Milligan (2/47 from 8), Cooper Hemmingway (2/57 from 9) were the pick of the Shirley Boys’ bowlers.

Shirley Boys’ High School started well and batted with intent, with opener Jake Wilson scoring 36. The Willows bowled well in good areas to take wickets, especially Jason Pawson when he bowled. Shirley Boys’ were 50 for 1 in the eleventh over and looking good, but Jason bowled seven overs and took 3/9 which put Shirley Boys’ on the back foot at 101 for 6. Jamie Newitt-Isacs hit the ball strongly in his 22 but the introduction of spinners Michael Peacock and Jack Mockford made scoring harder and the pressure grew. Liam Stocker played positively, keeping the good balls out and hitting cleanly those for runs including a towering 6 that clattered into the pavilion roof. Unfortunately with wickets falling at the opposite end he ran out of partners, ending up with 41 not out and Shirley Boys’ being bowled out for a respectable 161 in the 39th over.

It was an excellent game played in good spirits and was a fine way to farewell the Year 13 boys who were finishing school and Scott Bennett who was finishing as coach. Liam Stocker was the Shirley Boys’ High School Player of the Day for his efforts with both bat and ball and Benji Irvine for the Willows. Shirley Boys’ High School captain, Noah Bennett deserves praise for the way he spoke and thanked his team and coaching staff. Shirley Boys’ High School is commended for their conduct, dress and respect for the values of The Willows.

Tim Grocott Headmaster/Tumuaki Shirley Boys High School Match Manager

Umpire: D Thomason

Scorer: A McLeod