The Willows v Kings High School 11/10/26 – Match Report The Willows Kings High School fixture is one that is always keenly anticipated, not least as it gives Kings High School the opportunity to get early season Cricket on a grass wicket. The Willows won the toss and elected to bat. The Kings bowlers Ushi Caldera and Ross Milmine operated with tight line and length early on, having the Willows in early trouble at 15 for 2. Enter Tim Hampton -Matahe who struck the ball beautifully showing all his experience in reaching 96, unluckily missing out on a well-deserved century. Valuable support was provided by Louis Hiatt (31) a very promising young player from Christ’s College, other useful middle order contributions allowed The Willows to compile a very competitive total of 234 for 7. A consistent bowling and fielding effort from Kings certainly helped to contain the Willows, when potentially the score could have been greater. Rajveer Rana an international student at Kings high School, in his first match in NZ, impressed with his spell of spin bowling taking 2-22 from his 7 overs. In reply Kings got off to a slowish start but rallied with solid upper and mid order contributions to put at times the Willows attack under pressure. Ushi Caldera (55) and Carter Hepburn (27) held the Kings innings together. The Kings total of 194/9 reflected a very positive approach from Kings, and it was encouraging to see the way Kings approached the fixture. Bowling for The Willows the wickets were evenly spread, with the attack being well marshalled by the Willows XI captain Carl Petersen. The Willows were pleased to welcome Sean O’Connell our BACA scholar to the Club, along with James West an Ireland u19 player, they both fitted in well and enjoyed their first match at The Willows Lastly, we wish to acknowledge the work of Bradley Scott MIC Cricket at Kings High School, and Deon Lobb, Coach of the Kings 1st XI. The work that these two men put into this fine young group shows through in all aspects of how they play their cricket and present themselves. Kings High School will represent the Otago region in the National Secondary School tournament in December, and The Willows CC wishes them all the best for this tournament.

Paul Rutledge Match Manager