In a rescheduled mid-week fixture The Willows hosted a very good St Kevin’s team on a cool and damp morning. The Willows batted first and lost two early wickets but rebuilt through Dan Vann and Brent Fleming putting on 53 (amidst a couple of rain delays). Then late replacement and Willows debutant Issac Milne joined Fleming to form another significant partnership. The St Kevin’s bowlers toiled hard despite a damp outfield and wet ball. Harry Murphy was particularly impressive with 4/16 off 9 overs. The Willows managed to put on a competitive total of 196/6 from their 45 overs (shortened due to rain).

In reply, St Kevin’s also lost two early wickets but played with intent, kept the scoring rate up, and took on The Willows bowlers. Openers Isaac Milne (2/12) and Bintu Ror (2/25) were the pick of the bowlers bowling accurately with good swing. Veteran spinners Stan Woolliscroft (2/29) and Lance Ryan (2/36) put the brakes on scoring. Captain Liam Direen and Ben Kay played positively putting on 50 runs for the 5th wicket and when Direen brought up his 50 with the score at 113/5 the game was in the balance. However Direen then holed out to the man in the deep and St Kevin’s fell away to be all out for 136. Special thanks to the Oamaru team and their supporters for making the trip up and playing in such great spirit.