A beautiful sunny day greeted the new season. We welcomed Otago Boys’ High School to the Oval, where a great pitch, excellent outfield plus new bank made the day an absolute spectacle. Skipper Ritchie McCaw won the toss and The Willows opted to bat first. Most of our batsmen chimed in with useful runs. Opener James Richards and contracted Otago cricketer Ben Lockrose got us off to a great start. The innings was finished off nicely by top scorer Jeremy Benton and contributions from Ryan Cutts and Gareth Reed. The pick of the Otago bowlers were Bodhi Keiller who utilized the new ball to perfection and a spell of controlled leg-spin bowling by Zac Cumming. His ten overs spell had a return of 1/18. A total of 256/7, was not bad for the first game of the year.

After a tasty lunch from Country Feasts The Willows struck early. On his fourth ball Ben McCormack dismissed their opener with a good catch by Otago cricketer, Josh Finnie. Then Skipper Seb Kyle and Ben Stephens played some great shots in a partnership worth 83 runs. The breakthrough was made by Will Bretherton, a year 12 student from Christ’s College when he dismissed Kyle. This started a magnificent spell of bowling. Bretherton, a left-armer, would bowl ten overs in a row, for figures of 6/36 including three maidens. One of those wickets was an amazing full stretch catch by Ben McCormack at mid-on. In the end The Willows completed the victory to win back the FJ Cameron Trophy.

Thanks to our southern visitors, players and supporters, for making the journey; to Otago Cricket for releasing Ben Lockrose, Josh Finnie and Hunter Kindley to play; and to Black Cap Kyle Jamieson who was on deck all day to mingle with players and parents and to share his knowledge.