This will be my final President’s report. After fifteen years in the role, the time has well and truly come to move on. As is customary, there are many people to thank for their contribution to The Willows. If I omit anyone please accept that this is inadvertent. I acknowledge all the support we receive from members and others who continue to contribute.
Our sponsors are listed on the inside back cover of this report and without them the Club could not exist. I urge you to support them as well. We continue to enjoy assistance from the Southern Trust, Air Rescue and Community Services Trust, CERT Trust and Pub Charity.
The contribution of school principals, cricket coaches and managers is critical to a successful cricket calendar. The other critical elements to Sunday’s success are the umpires and scorers. We are grateful to them all, and the increasing numbers of umpires — including a number of females I am pleased to say — who have stood throughout the last season.
We now have excellent digital communications through the match reports prepared by Hamish Brown, and quarterly reports from Jim Stringleman our ever-present match manager and secretary of the management committee.
Sir Hugh and Lady Blackett continue to sponsor two boys at Matfen, and this season the scholarships were awarded to Henry Sail of Rangiora High School and Connor O’Leary from Wanganui Collegiate. The Sri Lankan tour was interrupted by the terrorist attacks. Thankfully the boys were safe throughout and returned home to be greeted by grateful parents. As always, our thanks to Paul and Julie McEwan for their management role, and also to Simon Cushen from King’s High School and Dan Vann from Chisnalwood Intermediate for their assistance and coaching.
During the season we played 21 games, won eleven, lost eight and drew one. Archie Redfern of Christchurch Boys’ High School (CBHS) won the Shadbolt Trophy for his superb 115 not out that guided his school to its sixth consecutive victory over The Willows. This demonstrates what a fine cricket school CBHS is. In February, Southland Boys’ High School scored 203/7 in 40 overs and then rolled The Willows for 139, which led to them being awarded the 49ers Cup. Another outstanding game was that between Marlborough Boys’ College and The Willows, when nearly 400 runs were scored in 100 overs. Because of the terror attacks in Christchurch, the Wanganui Collegiate game set for 17 March was called off. The Marlborough game was the next game after that, so the tragic events were appropriately acknowledged, and it was fitting that Nawid Mohammady was playing for The Willows. There was also recognition of Grant Stewart of the New Zealand Police for his bravery, that of his colleagues and all first responders.
For the first time in living memory, no bowler took five wickets at The Willows in the course of the season. There were, however, four centuries:
that of Archie Redfern already mentioned; Callum Hill, now resident in Hamilton; and Mathias Paltridge, the latter leading Combined South West Schools XI to their first ever victory over The Willows. This was a just reward to that tireless administrator and cricket buff, Dave Biddick. The final century for the season was scored by our evergreen, Paul Miller. This maiden Willows century to Paul was well deserved. In the course of the season Dave Kelly became our highest ever scoring batsman, just pipping Phil Harris. Dave now has accumulated 1819 runs at an outstanding average of 79.1. Phil sits three runs behind, on 1816.
A Willows Over-35 team took place in the Kindred Tournament and did us proud by winning the final in Wellington. A Canterbury Over-60s side comprising mainly Willowers was also successful at a national tournament. It is good to see that we are spreading our wings to be involved in these tournaments, and the opportunities have been enthusiastically greeted by members.The annual children’s Christmas party took place to coincide with the last playing Sunday of 2018. This year Riding for the Disabled was added to the Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome Associations and the Champion Centre as our guests. Our usual supporters, including the Salvation Army band were there, and in a new initiative the Jaguar Vintage Car Club was present with 35 vintage Jaguars. A fitting connection with our sponsor, Archibalds. Personally, I would be delighted to see the Car Club back again.
Sue Pritchard, our caterer, continued to provide outstanding lunches and afternoon teas enjoyed by all. I want to particularly also acknowledge Paul Rutledge, the match co-ordinator; Isabel McRae, the membership secretary; Alistair Sheard, the treasurer; Rex Hayward, our official photographer; and John Mitchell and Richard Cowles who are responsible for preparing the annual report. Special mention needs to go to Jim Stringleman, who I mentioned above, and Peter Devlin who was responsible for preparing the pitch and keeps the ground in immaculate order. Their unstinting contributions go well beyond any expectations. Finally, our Founder Mike who, I trust, will sit on the balcony enjoying the cricket for many seasons to come.
It is also appropriate to mention in my final report the work of our founding committee. It was their vision, enthusiasm and hard work that led to the foundation of a club that is now firmly established on the New Zealand cricketing scene. Each and every one of them deserves our gratitude for what they founded. Can I also pay tribute to the management committee. They have done everything within their ability, sometimes in difficult circumstances, to further engage our membership and strengthen the Club’s long-term future. It is a matter of concern that only a relatively small percentage of playing members play more than one game over the course of a season, but we are indebted to those who regularly play. It is important for the Club that we manage to recruit younger playing members who are committed to playing at least two games a season. We also need to engage more with our associate members in various ways. I know the management committee will continue to explore ways in which this can be done.
Many Willowers will not be aware of this, but the Club does have strong overseas associations with I Zingari Australia, the Forty Club in the United Kingdom, and our reciprocal club, the Hong Kong Cricket Club. Those international connections have led to firm friendships on and off the field.
I consider it important to mention our finances. While we continue to “get by” every season, it is a continual battle to get sufficient funding to run the Club at the standard we have come to expect. The management committee has some new ideas for generating additional income, and I trust all members will support them when these ideas come to fruition.
Sir Richard Hadlee, like his late father Walter and brothers Barry, Dayle and Martin, has been a strong supporter of The Willows since its inception 25 years ago. We were all concerned to note Sir Richard’s health issues over the last 12 months, but are pleased that he is improving. I close my final report by wishing Richard the very best of health in the future.