Something a little different by way of a match report. A personal reflection on the day from our skipper, Dave Kelly – one where he fondly remembers the Founder of our mighty Club. Here are Dave’s words:

The Waimea fixture last year marked the last time many of us saw Mike holding court at his beloved cricket ground. How have we done one year on? I found myself thinking as I drove down from an unusually green Hurunui. The answer was obvious as I watched the Waimea lads warming up. Neat, athletic, focused and committed, they looked like the fruit of a seed sown 27 years ago.

Batting first we were under pressure from the Waimea seam attack. Unable to get any notable partnerships we found ourselves having to settle for what we hoped was a competitive total. D Kelly hiding at no7 top scoring with 42. Bryn Thurlow was the outstanding bowler picking up seven wickets. It seemed the Kelly gang* may have robbed their last bank. But we are known for not lying down and with Nuttall ready to trump aided by a raft of young quicks we set about our work. Andrew took the two big wickets of Oscar Perrott and captain Carl Quinn who were both well set but had their stumps knocked over. The big partnership of Quinn and Flowers had us stretched but a beautifully slow arm ball from Horsley removed the dangerous and incredibly promising Ryan Flowers. Kieran Read using all his experience from 127 Tests mopped up the tail with 4/7.

• Five members of the Kelly family graced the oval for this fixture; a notable first.

Kelly drove back to the Hurunui to live and to rob another day. My final thoughts:

“Great men plant trees so that future generations can enjoy the shade.” God bless you and keep you MED. May The Willows continue to flourish.