Ashburton College’s Tom Middleton receives the trophy for successfully beating the Willows team on Sunday. Photo supplied.Every year the Ashburton College 1st XI heads north to take on a Willows Cricket Club XI, and it’s not often that they come home with a win.

But this year, they did.

They headed to the Willows for their annual match on Sunday and came home with a seven-wicket win to their names.

It was the first time Ashburton College had beaten the Willows since 2015, and it was also the young side’s first win of the summer, which will give them a big boost in confidence for the rest of the season.

Ashburton College looked in control from the start, after the Willows headed out to bat first.

The Ashburton bowlers started strongly and Tom Middleton took early wickets, and went on to end up with three to his name by the end of the innings, while two young year 10 bowlers – Liam Fuller and Will Jemmett – also performed well.

The Willows were eventually dismissed for just 72 and Ashburton College got there just three wickets down in little more than 13 overs, with Devon Flannery topping the run-scoring.

It was fortunate they knocked the runs off quickly, too, with rain setting in a few minutes after they finished.

It was a good win for the young Ashburton side, against a side that’s traditionally tough to beat.

The Willows Club’s objective is to encourage players in secondary school first XI’s to play with and against experienced players, many of who were present or first class cricketers.

They offer quality cricket in a country atmosphere and it’s always a day enjoyed by all.

Sunday’s experience for the young Ashburton players made even better by a visit and talk from two New Zealand cricketing legends – John Wright and Richard Hadlee – in the morning.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 12 November 2019