The Willows – ‘the place where dreams come true’ – quote John Kinsella from 1989 movie Field of Dreams. Here are seven great moments to treasure; they come in no particular order:
- Premier batsman
King’s High School (Dunedin) must have been sick of the sight of former CD and ND player Dave Kelly back in the day. Not only does Dave top all Club batting statistics, he has often blitzed the King’s lads over the years. Two (in 2011 and 2017) of his six Willows centuries have been at their expense. And to round out his skill set he sits third on the best all-time bowling list (with 6/16) in 2012 again against the southerners. They must have dreaded seeing him rock up with blade at the ready.
- First female century
Abby Fookes in her final year at Wakatipu High School achieved the feat in January 2024 against Waimea College 1st XI and so becoming the first schoolgirl to have her name on the Club honours board. Her century came in 76 balls with 16 fours and one six. Abby grew up playing cricket in boys teams but now the 17 year-old is a member of the Otago U19 women’s team. Credit to her parents who drive her regularly to Dunedin for rep training and for the guidance of esteemed Queenstown coach Emma Campbell in her development.
- Best bowling return ever
In over 700 games played at The Willows the performance by Callum Curnow in February 2016 stands supreme above all others with the ball. That day he took eight wickets against his old school, St Bede’s College in a dazzling display. His full analysis that day was 10 overs, 2 maidens, 21 runs and 8 wickets. In a straight spell he zeroed in on the stumps, bowling his last five victims with blistering yorkers and thunderbolts. Two years later, in 2018, Callum returned a 5-for against the same opposition.
- Wicketkeeper in the limelight
Over the years The Willows have been blessed with many quality glovemen. Men like Joe Bennett, Paul Rutledge, David Bond and Aaron Johnstone being among the finest exponents. Regretfully, our statistics over time on catches and stumpings are incomplete but in the 2023 match versus St Andrew’s College we were treated to a snappy display of glovework by Kelvin Scott. That day he effected six dismissals behind. Then the versatile Kelvin went out and scored a century to see us home.
- Smashing the double century ceiling
Everyone in attendance in November 2023 will not forget the blazing 208* scored by Harry O’Loughlin for CBHS against a strong Willows bowling attack – the first double century ever at The Willows. Missed on zero, Harry never put a foot wrong thereafter and blazed his double century in 144 balls with 22 fours and six sixes. Harry was part of the victorious CBHS team that went on to win the national Gillette Cup and to star in the Canterbury U17 team which also won the national title in January 2024. In a crucial match v ND Harry scored big again with 126 runs (off 111 deliveries). So he is already carving his niche in the game.
- Schoolboy prodigy delivers
No-one who watched Rachin Ravindra in his formative cricket years would be slightly surprised that he was destined to set alight the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. We had the privilege to see him at Loburn, first-hand, as a gifted 15 year old, in March 2015 when he scored an unbeaten century against The Willows. He paced himself beautifully throughout an innings of 102 retired (11x 4’s). Selected in Year 9 for the Hutt International Boys’ School 1st XI this prodigious talent is fast becoming the next star of the modern game.
- Wizard with the ball
When Andrew Nuttall dismissed Campbell Fowler (St Kevin’s College, Oamaru) it was his 250th wicket for The Willows – the next highest wicket-taker in the Club sits well in his wake with 93 wickets. The match played in November 2023 was the first one back for Andrew after a medical clearance post-heart surgery and testament to his fitness and skill. As fellow Masters tourist Brent Fleming said “his heart may have skipped a beat, but his bowling hasn’t”. Not bad for a 66 year-old with no stopping in sight. 300th next?