On a beautiful bright and warm sunny morning and the pitch and outfield in fine condition, Rugby won the toss and asked Willoughby to bat, and that decision delivered early rewards with both openers removed as wickets fell in the first and second overs.

However that brought Willoughby captain Jake Quinney to the crease and he led from the front to first steady the ship and then take the game to Rugby with the bat. Although wickets fell around him, Quinney remained resolute and combined patience and some watchful defence with some good all-round attack and strong running, before retiring on reaching his half century having made a well-worked 52 not out which included eight boundaries.

Michael Deery proved a worthy ally making a fine 20 in a partnership of 42, and with Liam Franks adding an equally valuable 19 and Justin Hanks a quick –fire 9 in the latter stages, Willoughby recovered matters sufficiently from their early setbacks to go into three figures and a post a competitive total of 128 for 7 off their 20 overs. Rugby’s Max Johnson took the bowling plaudits for his side with a deserved 3 for 28, and Daanyal Sadiq took 2 for 4 off his four overs.

In reply Rugby never recovered from being 5 for 2, 7 for 3 and 15 for 4 as the Willoughby attack, buoyed by a large support, dominated from the outset. Archie McMillan (0 for 4) and Dan Farrow (3 for 8) applied the early pressure which made the early inroads. That put Rugby behind the run rate as wickets tumbled, ahead of Quinney then capping what was to be a Man of the Match performance with a wicket and then a flying catch to remove top scorer Eddie King for 9. With Willoughby still ever-keen and attacking in the field, it was then left to Callum Hanks with 2 for 9 and Deery with 2 for 3 to complete matters as Rugby were bowled out for 45, giving Willoughby by 83 runs.

Credit to Rugby CC and their players for their part in an excellent game and advertisement for local youth cricket, with thanks again also to Tom Binding and the RDCL for their work in arranging the Finals Day, and all at Barby CC for their kind hospitality and hosting.