Ashburton College’s side that took on the Willows Cricket Club at Loburn on Sunday. Photo supplied.Ashburton College’s first XI cricket side made its annual trip to Loburn on Sunday to take on a side from The Willows Cricket Club.

The result didn’t end up going the Ashburton side’s way, but for the team it wasn’t as much about the win, as it was the experience.

Playing against the Willows Cricket Club was a formal experience and the day was always full of cricket traditions, with the aim of encouraging players in secondary school first XIs to play with and against experienced cricketers, many of whom were past first-class cricketers.

Few teams managed to beat the Willows, but despite the result teams went away happy – the day was about the players having the opportunity to experience some of cricket’s traditions, and it was a great opportunity for spectators to watch a quality game of cricket in a country atmosphere.

Part of the tradition was offering the Willows the opportunity to bat first, which the side accepted against Ashburton College, and posted 213/4 after batting through the 50 overs.

Liam Sullivan took 1/44, Angus Jemmett took 1/34 and Tom Middleton took 1/15 for Ashburton College.

In reply Ashburton College also batted through the 50 overs for a total of 101, with Jemmett top scoring with 26 and Devon Flannery adding 22.

The Ashburton College team that played in the Willows game was James Forbes, Tom Middleton (C), Harry McMillan, Isaac Bazley, Angus Jemmett, Liam Sullivan, Ben Middleton, Devon Flannery, Jonty Small, Will Copland and Aiden Bennett.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 16 November 2018