The Willows vs. Hutt International Boys’ School: 22 March 2026 We welcomed Hutt International Boys School for the third time to the Willows, almost 24 months to the day after their fine victory in 2024. Coach Jack Imray and Manager Ted Grieve had the team very well prepared and looking forward to the match on a sunny Canterbury day though there was enough dew on the ground early to have the umpires questioning the start time. Both captains agreed to get underway and HIBS captain Ishan Patel called incorrectly allowing the Willows captain to break the trend of the previous fortnight and choose to bat first. This seemed a very sound decision as the total raced past 80 before the drinks break, Carl Petersens dismissal in the 16th over for 62 slowing the scoring rate. The opening partnership of 88 with Jake Wilson (28) set a wonderful platform but the HIBS spin attack along with the return of left armer Patel to the bowling crease stemmed the flow of runs. Partnerships would only muster between 10 and 20 runs for the remainder of the innings, Willows battling to be all out in the penultimate over for 179. Henry Rumball (27) and Toby Pilkington (27) the only other scores of note. Ishan Patel with 4-27 and Will Ashton 3 -17 the pick of a bowling attack that was very disciplined, allowing only 4 extras in the innings and maintaining good consistent pressure on their opposition. The Willows XI bowling was led off by Callum Temple-Doig and William Bretherton, both bowling with exceptional control of line and length, both taking a wicket early while also keeping the run rate to a bare minimum. Bretherton’s 10 over on the trot spell conceded just 28 runs, a fine effort on a warm Canterbury day. The introduction of spinners Mason McLachlan and Brennan Matla continued the pressure; HIBS being reduced from 95 for 3 to 136 for 7 in the 38th over. Temple-Doig came back to snare another wicket and our Novocastrian pair of Matfen CC visitors Pilkington and Ollie Birkett attempted to rescue the situation as the run chase tightened but it would be Ishan Patel playing an excellent strategic captains knock to take HIBS to victory 9 down with 7 balls remaining. Earlier Jack Gearie (34) and Harry Dando (27) had provided the base for the chase, but it would be Patel, Frankie Tracy and Will Greive who would steer the team home, amid some good natured advice from the Willows XI. Mason McLachlan (3-37) was the pick of the bowlers that performed very well defending an under par total, as always some half chances being taken would have helped the cause but all in all a magnificent days cricket with a close result and played in exceptional spirit by both teams. It was great to see some HIBS old boys, who have now seen the light and at Uni in Canterbury, coming to support the boys along with some parents. As Ishan took the plaudits and man of the match prize for HIBS, a special mention was made of Michael Singleton on the occasion of his 50th match for the Willows. It is a great achievement and he took the opportunity to note to the assembled crowd how many opportunities and how much enjoyment on and off the field that cricket has afforded him – with of course the Willows experience being a major part of this. We wish HIBS all the best for the remainder of the year and look forward to seeing a few of the team back in 2028. Thanks to Jack, Ted and Paul Brennan for their organisation of the trip, umpires Anvesh Achanta and David Miller for their work and particularly Bryan O’Sullivan who stepped into the scorers chair at short notice. A great day at the Willows despite the result.