A dominating unbeaten century by Marlborough cricketing stalwart, Greg Stretch, led The Willows Cricket Club to a convincing 134 run win over Marlborough Boys College. It was a beautiful warm North Canterbury day, with the Willows looking a picture and a lightning fast outfield which Stretch was able to exploit masterfully.

After a good start by the Marlborough students, The Willows were 51 for 3 including the prize wicket of Marlborough representative cricketer Matt Stetch (Greg’s son), that was when Stretch joined Willows captain and fellow Marlburian and NZ Over 50’s rep Mason Robinson. The pair then added 132 for the fourth wicket and when Robinson departed for 77 the score was 183 after 34 overs. The platform had been set for a good score.

Stretch increased the tempo nicely towards the end of the innings and brought up his century in the last over with some towering boundaries, including a number of lofted cover drives for six. Along with Josh Bridgeman (28) at the end, The Willows made an impressive 271.

For MBC, Luke Panell bowled well at the top of the innings ending up with 3-36 off 9 overs, and although getting a bit of stick in the last few overs, Archie Cornelius bowled a lovely spell of outswingers throughout the middle overs. Robinson, former Head Boy of MBC, who filled in as Captain for the unavailable, other former Head Boy, Scott McHardy, could afford to attack the young Marlborough students. The opening bowlers of Adam Hastilow and Will Bretherton bowled with accuracy and good movement which did not help the MBC batters cause at all. Hastilow eventually picked up 4 wickets including a spectacular diving catch at second slip by the younger Stretch.

Luke Holdaway came in at 3 and at stages looked to get on top of the bowlers, playing some fluent, confident shots, but was dismissed for 29 at a key time. Wicket’s fell steadily and were spread evenly across all the Willows bowlers. Special credit should go to young Thistle Shulka. His 3 overs over leg spin made an impact on all his team mates as he extracted considerable turn, with lovely line and flight…a player to watch. Top scorer and player of the day was L McNeil who demonstrated typical Marlborough fight and remained 34 not out when the MBC were eventually dismissed for 137 in the 25th over.

For the former MBC students of Greg and Matt Stretch and Mason Robinson, it was rewarding being able to mix and compete with a fine bunch of Marlborough students representing their College proudly. Although today wasn’t their day they came up against a fit and skilful Willows team that played a high-quality game of cricket. This Willows team also wish Adam Hastilow all the best as he trials in early December to make the NZ Over-40s team for the Over-40s Cricket World Cup in Capetown.

A special shout out also goes to the Marlborough Boys’ College Coaching team of Greg Logan (Wairau), Wade Cornelius and Helen McIntosh for superbly leading these young cricketers. They certainly are in good hands. A final thanks to Paul Rutledge from The Willows for all the work he did organising the fixture as well as all the team at The Willows – simply brilliant!

Robinson said “the day belonged to Stretchy, his innings was true class and was a totally commanding knock”.