Bob Wills Trophy

Educated at St Kevin’s College in the late 1940s, Bob played in the 1st XI cricket team throughout his time at the school and in the 1st XV rugby team in his final year. In 1948, the school closed for six months due to the polio epidemic, and he did not return. Representing Southland against the touring West Indies, he suffered a severe shin injury when Everton Weekes clipped a ball to short leg. Beyond sport, Bob was a talented musician, excelling on the cornet and trumpet and winning the New Zealand Under-18 Cornet title. He regularly performed in touring shows visiting Invercargill. In recognition of his cricketing skill, he was named in the Marist Invercargill Cricket Club’s Team of the Century during their centenary celebrations.