Willowers All,
On 18 February 1995 the Club had the honour to play a match against the Forty Club, founded in 1936, in England. Since then ties have been forged through contact with Carl Openshaw (Kent). It is therefore a milestone to gain permission to print in this, our Third Annual Report, an extract from the Duke of
Edinburgh’s address at the 1986 XL40 Annual Dinner. His words certainly encapsulate the objectives and essence of how we want to play cricket in our Club. We are indebted to the XL40 Club for this.
Cricket is the ultimate team game where high standards, sportsmanship and camaraderie should prevail. At times today with individual player contracts, sponsorship, MVP’s, the advent of cricket-max and the like, it is easy to forget the true ideals of cricket. That is where we felt deeply for deposed New Zealand Captain and Willows Club member, Lee German. We acknowledge here the contribution Lee made to get the current players to respect others in the game from the youngest fans through to match attendants and administrators. Lee never accepted that any player was bigger than the game itself. That was the enduring legacy of his time at the top.
The 1996/97 season has been an enjoyable one for all concerned in the Club. On the playing side there were a number of “firsts”. We were grateful that the New Zealand representative John Wright offered to run a clinic for Under-21 club members and 1st XI players from across ten separate colleges. We extend to John and his family every best wish back in the UK with John now in charge as coach of the Kent County side. The presence of the New Zealand team in a friendly, pre-season game with an Academy XI was a particular thrill and a chance to host all involved in New Zealand Cricket at the Club. Sir Richard and Dayle Hadlee were instrumental in getting the first North Island secondary school, Te Awamutu College, to play at the ground prior to Christmas. New fixtures against a Mobil Oil South Island XI flnd a Wellington President Oldies XI were successful occasions. The first Willows v Millbrook (Arrowtown) match was cancelled, a casualty of a wet weekend in March. Adrian McFedries achieved a “first” in the Club’s history with a hat trick against Flaxton Wanderers, but that was not enough to avoid successive defeats at John Gardner’s ground (and the loss of Michael’s coveted DianaTrophy). The catch of the season and the one that gave Adrian the hat-trick was a sprawling affair by Phil Harris – made after tearing in, checking, then haring back to pull it in. Derek Burrell gained a notable “first” also during the season by becoming a double centurion for the Club.
Several new Club members bolstered our playing strength; none more so than Paul Rutledge, Geoff Miller and Geoff Smith. The latter will remember his debut match for suffering a crashing blow to the knee which necessitated crutches and a DNB. Another to suffer the ignominy to pull up lame was C.L.Bull, Esq. while at a stint at the bowling crease of all places. Cran was also joined by the three most illustrious First Class players in the Club, namely Messrs: Latham, McEwan and Hastings, in scoring spectacular ducks during the season. Brian had a first baller from the Justice of the High Court, John Hansen – a scalp that ranks alongside that of Glenn Turner as his all-time best. If you throw in the 3 runs John Wright scored for the Ohoka Swamphens along with the aforementioned ducks then you have a line-up that didn’t bother the scorer!
Close finishes were the order of the day again in some fixtures. Some went our way, some did not! Wal Scott hit the winning run off the last ball to down the Wellington President Oldies – in a game which netted 521 runs off 100 overs. In the two college games the Club was two and four runs better off than CBHS and St Andrews College respectively after 50 overs each. In another thriller we had one over to spare in scoring the 224 runs to beat a Medbury Headmaster’s XI. On the other side of the ledger we had a last ball loss v. Flaxton Wanderers when a four was struck off the hat-trick taker Adrian McFedries and the Canterbury Emerging Players XI got our score of 205 with five balls to spare. Closeness was not a feature of theChrist’s College fixture with the Club (fielding not a bad side – on paper at least) being bundled out for an all-time low of 69 and suffering a record losing margin of 126runs. The name of losing captain in this huge thrashing, P.E.McEwan, must now join that of our first-ever losing Willows captain, Michael Fisher, (who also by chance was playing in this debacle against College) on the notorious honours board. It is worth noting that schoolboy Peter Fulton scored more himself than the entire Willows XI could muster on the day.
As well the 1996/97 season will be remembered for:
- the rain which caused four matches to be cancelled and prevented afternoon play in another one;
- the enjoyment of having secondary schoolboys sharing partnerships with older members of the Club.
A classic was the 105 partnership between Barry Hadlee (51) and Paul McCarthy(71) against Flaxton Wanderers. Two others between the young and “not so young” included 123 by Gareth Brooks (64) and Graeme Inglis (60) v. Hawkswood Wanderers and 132 by Ben Dormer (67 ret.) and Mark Savill (64 ret.) v. Wellington President Oldies.
A feature of the 1996/97 Annual Report is the number of photographs showing children and the budding players of tomorrow at the ground. It is this continued support of families that is central to the success of the Willows. Tractor rides also proved as popular as ever with the youngsters.
The Club expresses appreciation t o both the Canterbury and North Canterbury Cricket Associations, to the Waimakariri Council, to the Headmasters and cricket coaches of our first elevens and to all the various teams who travelled (many huge distances) to play at the ground. The game with the Mobil Oil XI was a particularly important one. Through the generosity of their Chief Executive, Jim Law, Wellington, donations of $3,000 ($2,000 to the North Canterbury St. John Ambulance and $1000 to the local scout troop) was presented at the after-match – and that in spite of a Mobil win! Such is the firm liaison and goodwill that we intend to build upon between all our guest teams and the Club. The number of permanent fixtures continue to grow accordingly and some keenly contested battles ensue in the middle. Likewise the trophy list proliferates. Mind you, it would be nice to see the likes of “The Diana” and “The Roger McFarlane” trophies back to adorn the pavilion instead of out on sabbatical elsewhere.
The list of individuals to acknowledge here is equally as long as the fixture list. The club spirit ,enthusiasm and hospitality touches everyone fortunate to visit the ground. Not only for the schoolboys and opposing players but visitors from as far afield as South Africa, England, Singapore and Australia have experienced the warmth of Club members. One never ceases to be in awe of the achievements made in such a short period of time. Elsa Edgar is very special here too as the garden plots, and in particular her roses, look more splendid each season. Few vistas can surpass that experienced when walking beyond the Preston Scorebox to the lake and up the avenue to the cobb homestead.
The Club is indebted to the work of the Patron, Mr Waiter Hadlee. We know it was a special thrill to him to see the national side play at the ground last October. His words of welcome to the teams and explanation of the Willows ethos added to the day. To Christopher Doig and Dayle Hadlee from New Zealand Cricket, we thank them both for continued support. We look to a future occasion when the New Zealand lads can grace our turf again.
The magnificence of the playing area stems from the work of two people. Vince Cusack and Peter Devlin are tireless in their endeavours to produce a quality cricket ground. An accolade which best summed it up came from the New Zealand bowler Chris Pringle who commented to a club member between balls at fine leg: “you don’t play on a track as good as this until mid December (if lucky) anywhere in the country – certainly not at the start of October”. The effort to produce true and fast pitches with carry is reflected in the number of scores in excess of 200 throughout the season. All players extend appreciation to these two gents.
Another two who make playing cricket at the Willows such a pleasure are Elaine and Ian James whose catered lunch must be the envy of every ground in the province. They are certainly integral to the hospitality we are able to afford our guests and we value their contribution greatly. I know too with all the rained-off games several Rangiora old-peoples homes and the like enjoyed the unexpected delights of Elaine’s home cooking. Also in Rangiora to Barry Ellis at the Red Lion Tavern, we thank you for on-going support to us.
To the coordinator of umpires, Eddie Brownlee, we extend our thanks. To have experienced and distinguished umpires like Brian Aldridge and Rodger McHarg officiating and to all the others who stood (including Frank Cameron) certainly adds to the quality of the occasion. Tony Campbell has become a stalwart as Club scorer and that is a vital role also. It would be wrong, finally, not to include Phil Harris, our selector and match coordinator, for special praise. That is a huge job and one which for the past three seasons has been handled with total competence. Each “Willower” owes you a sincere vote of thanks Phil.
Conclusion
New fixtures, future developments and innovation look certain. for the up-coming season. Squeezed into an already hectic schedule are proposed games versus: Wanganui Collegiate 1st XI, a Canterbury Police XI, a Millbrook XI, a Suburban XI and an away match at the Valley of Peace. The Club tour to Sydney and hinterland is looking a reality for January 1998. A five match itinerary against such famous clubs as “IZingari", “The Primary Club", “Kookaburra’s” etc and at grounds like the Bradman Oval at Bowral will break new ground for the Willows Cricket Club.
The Founders and committee of the Club have several other projects in mind, as diverse as: procuring a “heavy roller” for the ground, scholarships for secondary school members to play overseas and securing a financial base so the Club is self funding in the years ahead. The work done on ground maintenance by fourteen junior members on Easter Monday typifies the energy and spirit that exists within theClub. To be a “Willower” bestows a responsibility for each of us to lay down a tradition of excellence in cricket. The ideals cemented now will endure into the next millennium.
Finally, we invite you all to join us at The Willows Club Dinner to be held at the Showgate Lounge, Riccarton Racecourse on 4 July.