Once again glorious sporting weather brought a close to another successful season at The Willows.
This is my opportunity, on behalf of the Club, to thank those who have contributed to making The Willows such a raging success. Firstly, Vincent Cusack and Peter Devlin for their outstanding efforts in yet again producing a run laden wicket block. Secondly, to Paul Rutledge for his many hours of endeavour that ensured eleven “Willowers” were present and correct on Sunday morning. Few members will appreciate how onerous this task is. All of the members of your Committee have again made significant contributions to the running of the Club throughout the season. We are indebted to our caterers and barbequers who are an essential part of our pleasant Sundays. Finally, thanks to Peter Nancarrow who is present virtually every Sunday to ensure the usual immaculate standards are maintained.
On behalf of the Club I would like to extend our congratulations to Peter Fulton on his being selected to represent New Zealand. We extend our best wishes to our two scholarship cricketers, Willie Lawson and Michael Peacock who will spend a season working and cricketing in the north of England, courtesy of Sir Hugh and Anna, Lady Blackett.
Three school teams defeated The Willows in the course of the season, and it is a pleasure that two of them were from south of the Waitaki. The victorious teams were my old school, Otago Boys’ High School, Southland Boys’ High School and St Bede’s College. St Thomas’ were also nearly successful when they dismissed The Willows for 126 runs in 22 overs. Chasing that modest score they were at one stage 84/2, but a fine spell from Todd Astle undid them for 103.
Hawkswood Wanderers continue to be our nemesis. We have played them 11 times and they have won nine of the games. I suspect the only way we could hold that trophy is to fluke a win and then discontinue the series.
It was a pleasure to welcome Oliver Hutton from Yorkshire who spent the summer in Christchurch. Oliver, the grandson of the first professional captain of England, Sir Leonard Hutton, and son of Richard, an England representative, played many excellent innings at The Willows and we hope he remembers his games at the ground with fondness.
The end of the 2004/os season brought the curtain down on a North Canterbury cricketing tradition. For over 25 years John Gardner has staged games at his ground in Flaxton Road. Due to road widening this will not be continued in future years. He is to be congratulated for his effort in bringing so many cricketers together over many years. As well as thanking John for this contribution, we congratulate him as President and also Canterbury Country Cricket for the splendid facility they have created in Rangiora at the Recreation Ground.
The club extends to Bob Pope, an ex Wellington College Old Boy and former Club Captain of WCOBCC our appreciation for his willing and generous contributions to The Willows Foundation Trust.
We were extremely fortunate that former Wallabies captain, Nick Farr-Jones, was the guest speaker at our annual dinner. It was an outstanding occasion matched only by the Sunday church service. At the commencement of the next season we will be holding another tst XI dinner at St Bede’s and the Club has been fortunate to secure the agreement of Frank Tyson and Glenn Turner as speakers.
As we head into that unfortunate part of the year when cricket is not part of our staple diet may I extend my best wishes to all the members and wish them well for the season ahead.