Each year The Willows play St Kevin’s College (Oamaru) for the Bob Wills Trophy. We honour a man who not only attended the school but one who spent his lifetime fostering young people and cricket in his community. Willower Trevor Thornton visited Bob shortly before his passing and found him very engaging. Trevor also provided this tribute for the SKC community:
“Bob Wills was at St Kevin’s College in the late 1940s and in the 1st XI in all three years he was at the College. He was also in the 1st XV in his final year. In 1948 the school closed for six months due to the polio epidemic so Bob did not return. Representing Southland against the touring West Indies cricket team Bob took a severe blow on his shin when Everton Weekes clipped a ball to short leg. Whilst an accomplished sportsman Bob was also a gifted musician, winning the New Zealand Under-18 cornet title, and regularly supporting touring musicians who visited Invercargill. When the Marist Invercargill Cricket Club had their centenary Bob was one of the players selected in their team of the century”.