Northwest Schools 234/9
T Taylor 104 ret, G Welford 63, P Miller 4/61, C Finnie 3/32
The Willows 137
G Turner 30, M Everest 29, T Mušić 24, G Welford 5/16
The Willows
lost by 97 runs
Fifteen-year-old Tom Turner from Lincoln High School stole the show. Coming in at the fall of the second wicket he joined Gideon Welford at the crease. The pair put on 101 runs in 17 overs. Tom showed glimpses of class in his 42 runs last year, but this year the show was complete. His confidence and strokeplay was sublime. Best exemplified by an audacious reverse sweep which rocketed to the pickets and a six onto the clubhouse steps (from the pitch furthest on the block). As a year 11 lad, future captains beware!! Miller and Finnie were our chief wicket takers. After Turner retired the Northwest XI posted 234 for 9 in the 43rd over. On a tough wicket, mention must go to young ’keeper Jordan Sim, who benefitted from the mentorship of having the Canterbury 50+ wicket-keeper Matt Everest standing beside him at slip for most of the day.
The Willows started well on the chase but imploded to be 133 for 8. Matt tried valiantly to resurrect things before being a victim to Welford, normally a ’keeper, but an impressive spin bowler too. A true allrounder! He cleaned up the tail and the Northwest XI romped to a 97 run victory. Today was all about youth. The boys played with great spirit and skill. They outbatted, outbowled, outfielded us, ran between wickets better and generally dominated. They have responded well to the coaching from ex-international Llorne Howell with Darron Stackhouse his off-sider.
Umpires: D Haskett & O Joshi
Scorer: S Steere