After a delayed start due to an inch of rain it was great to see a playable pitch once the covers were pulled off. Credit has to go to the grounds team. With the match now 40 overs per side, The Willows won the toss, took a gamble and chose to bat. A move instantly regretted by captain James Richards when two wickets were lost in the first over. Usually a team would then hunker down and look to graft it out, however Jake Darling decided to put the foot down and tee off, swinging the momentum back in The Willows’ favour. Some good partnerships through the middle of the innings from Seaver Cowley and Liam Robinson set us up for a strong finish. New Matfen Scholar Archie Ovens, hit a couple of towering bombs to finish the innings.

The Willows started strong with the ball. Micah Walther was the pick of the bowlers. Even though he didn’t pick up a wicket he created a lot of pressure for Archie and Taylor Holland to grab wickets at the other end. Seaver and Jeremy Benton bowled well; both picking up a few wickets, and putting the squeeze on the Country Schools XI. The fielding was strong from both sides, with Ryan McEwan taking in his own words “the catch of the summer”. Overall, an awesome day and a game played in outstanding spirit.