The first Willows game of the season was played in great spirits on a sunny but brisk spring day, the Willows starting on the right foot, a 97 run win against Otago Boys’ High School.
The home team (featuring six alumni) won the toss against the Southern lads, decided to challenge themselves by choosing to bat first on a green wicket. The innings got off to a quick start, aided by a quick Willows outfield and the Otago Boys’ opening bowlers not being afraid to use the short ball against the Willows top order. Hunter Kindley, coming off a duck in last years OBHS fixture was the glue of the Willows innings, a beautifully compiled 98, highlights being his shots square of the wicket. Strong partnerships with Lockrose and Richards (37) looked certain to take Willows north of 300 with ten overs to go. The schoolboys fought back well in the final phase, the last five wickets falling for just 26. The spinning pair of H Wilson (4/41) and Z Cumming (3/46) were the pick of the OBHS bowlers. Both extracted turn out of the wicket and used good variation in speed. 254 all out, a decent early season score.
The chase started off with a hiss and a roar, 16 taken off the first two overs of the Willows seamers. Opener B Turnbull saw off the new ball well for 26. After Nicholson took the opening wicket of the season, a skied leading edge, the Willows bowlers then applied the pressure. Scott (2-16) was miserly in his opening spell, and with consistent pressure and some surprisingly good fielding the Willows took regular wickets. OBHS always kept up with the run rate with some impressive ball striking, but only Z Cumming (49*) could remain set at the crease. Lockrose (3/21) and Nicholson (2/39) did the damage through the middle, OBHS bowled out for 157 in the 36th over. Thanks to some pained movements and wayward radars, Willows also contributed 40 extras to OBHS’ total.
A great day out for all, special thanks to match manager Ken Rust, Ben and the grounds team for producing such a quality wicket and outfield so early in the season.