Another fantastic weekend at The Willows and this year the weather played its part.
Saturday night featured a great evening at Medbury School for a pre-match dinner with distinguished guests. We were delighted to be joined by His Excellency The Rt Hon. Sir Jerry Mateparae. Stephen Boock entertained the guests with some great stories from his playing days and shared fond memories of Martin Crowe, a player who had one of the biggest impacts on New Zealand cricket. Along with the oratory, music and excellent catering we enjoyed a most pleasant evening.
On Sunday we woke to a blue sky and potentially hot temperatures which was definitely in favour of the young Governor-General’s XI. With Erv McSweeney winning the toss The Past New Zealand XI decided to bat. John Wright and Mathew Sinclair (107 retired) opened the batting and put on a solid opening stand. The latter showed all his class with a century to go with many others over his career. The appreciative crowd (and young opposition) were entertained with the timing and ease for which Mathew was renowned. He was ably supported through the innings by Dion Ebrahim (54). Fraser Sheat showed great control and pace to be the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 22 from ten overs. After the 50 overs, a target of 240 was set.
The Governor-General’s XI started with great promise as both openers put on a partnership of 82 runs. A fine innings of 62 runs by Sam Gilbert from St Andrew’s College was the highlight. He was particularly savage on anything that was slightly loose. Paul Wiseman showed why he was such a respected spinner in his day with figures of 2 for 17 off ten overs. This spell put the brakes on the Governor-General’s XI and with balls running out, they ended 15 runs short of the target. It was a great effort from the young lads who I’m sure learned and witnessed many a thing throughout the day which will benefit their future cricketing careers. It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.
Past New Zealand XI won by 15 runs
Past NZ XI 239/8
M. Sinclair 107 retired, D. Ebrahim 54,
J. Marshall 25, B. Donkers 3/40, F. Sheat 2/22
Governor-General’s Youth XI 225/6
S. Gilbert 62, K. Boshier 46, T. Bayly 36, F. Sheat 30*
Umpires
E. Brownlee and B. Hamilton
The Willows Past New Zealand XI
Ben Blair
Ewen Chatfield
Ervin McSweeney (capt) James Marshall Richard Petrie
Mathew Sinclair
Paul Wiseman
Dion Ebrahim
Andrew Nuttall
John Wright
Daniel Stanley
The Governor-General’s Youth XI
Mitchell Hay (Christchurch Boys’ High School) Fraser Sheat (Christchurch Boys’ High School) Ben Chamberlain (Christ’s College)
Sam Gilbert (St Andrew’s College)
Angus Hamilton (St Bede’s College)
Ben Donkers (Christchurch Boys’ High School) Will Hamilton (St Andrew’s College)
Liam McBreen-Smith (St Andrew’s College) Tane Bayly (Otago Boys’ High School)
Mark Otley (Timaru Boys’ High School)
Kaylum Boshier (New Plymouth Boys’ High School) James O’Gorman (c) (St Alban’s Cricket Club)