Cricketing Excellence and Camaraderie: Wanderers Boys Shine in Annual Schoolgirls Fixture at The Willows
On Tuesday 26th of March, the Wanderers selected from seven different schools an XI to travel to Loburn in North Canterbury to play the annual schoolboys fixture V The Willows CC secondary school boys’ selection XI.
We were welcomed by Willows Chairman Paul Rutledge, which is customary when arriving at the ground. Paul is always there to ensure the day runs smoothly and it’s fair to say that Paul is the heartbeat of the Willows giving so much of his time to the operations of this wonderful cricketing paradise. The boys then had a good look at the oval, and inside the pavilion which is covered with memorabilia, before the whites and spikes were on, and after a quick warm up, Paul rang the bell for play to start at 11am. This was to be a time game, maximum 100 overs or 6pm, whatever came first.
The Wanderers having lost the toss had first use of the ball and it was not long before HIBs new ball pairing Benny Byrne and Aiden Bailey had removed both openers, leaving the Willows 2-14 inside the first 8 overs. Wickets continued to tumble as Alex McAslan entered the attack sneering three quick wickets, and Harry Law adding another to leave the Willows lads in a deep hole, at 6-61. To the crease arrived Lloyd Fellows and big Josh Wedlake, and both started to pounce on anything full, with Wedlake prepared to take on the spinners, hitting over the 30-meter circle to pepper the boundary. This partnership and the balance of the tail got the Willows through to a respectable 163 all out.
The Wanderers openers headed to the middle with twenty minutes before the lunch break and after losing Pranav Mehta early, Tim O’Leary proceeded to swing hard, for a quick fire 24 before being out on the second to last ball prior to the interval. After losing our next wicket first ball after lunch, enter Connor Rees who with Ben Stephen started to get the innings on track, with Rees timing the ball beautifully with delicate cuts, and classy pull shots, and eloquent punches through the offside. Some middle order fireworks from McAslan, Law and Ormsby, saw the team past the 300 mark and on reaching the declaration score of 319, Connor Rees also brought up a well compiled 100 not out. This innings was not to go unnoticed by both Willows Coach David Kelly and former Central Districts representative, and John Wright former New Zealand opener, who thoroughly enjoyed a real show of class from the Whanganui Collegiate 1st XI captain.
With an hour left in the day it was simple, the Willows needed to survive to draw, or the Wanderers needed 10 good bits of cricket in a hurry. Benny Byrne and Ollie Saunderson combined well to pick up three quick wickets early, as the Willows batsman had a real dip at the required runs. However, as the light faded on a great day, and 6pm arrived, stumps were pulled at 75-4. A moral victory for the young Wanderers men and a fantastic way for these boys from boy teams to finish the summer. Both teams must be congratulated for the spirit they played the game in, the way the came together as teams, and for the great cricket they all contributed too.
The opportunity for any player to experience the Willows is one to cherish and from a Wanderers perspective we would like to sincerely thank the Dormer family, Ben and Winsome, Paul Rutledge for overseeing everything, and for being one of those absolute stars who give so much back to our game, Dave Kelly for coaching the Willows boys and everyone else including umpires and caterers for making this trip south so special. A particular mention to those who travelled with the WWCC team, committee members Hamish and William Marshall, Matthew Roche and Peter Holland for their support, and Jasmine Bailey who made sure everything from flights to transfers and all communications were seamless. We look forward to the return fixture in 12 months’ time where we host the Willows at the Cello Basin Reserve.
