The toss was won by Valley of Peace Cricket Club and elected to bat for this 50-over match against Millbrook Cricket Club from Arrowtown.

Weather:
1st innings – sunny, 17 degrees
2nd innings – overcast, 12 degrees

A solid opening partnership of 49 between Ryan Eathorne 25 and Tim Frickleton 29 laid a good platform for the middle order Niven Boyle 31 and Hamish Cochrane 32 to progress the innings to over 100 by the 35th over. Although wickets began to fall in quick succession past the 40th over Dan Hooper 16 managed to help VoP finish at a defendable score of 163/9 after 50 overs.

Millbrook lost early wickets at regular intervals in reply as the wicket got slower as the day went on. Great opening bowling spell by Dan Hooper of 10 overs straight 3 for 11, and Greg Jones 9 overs 3 for 32. Riley Smith chipping in 5 overs, 2 for 21. At one stage Millbrook were 27/7 and then 38/8. VoP was looking forward to having the game done and dusted by drinks – 25 over mark. The last wicket partnership of around 70 by Rob who smacked his way to 50 and Billy 25 started to annoy the VoP bowlers and made the VoP captain get a little nervous. Luckily for VoP Graham Aveyard finished the Millbrook innings off with 5 overs 2 for 8, making it a handsome win for VoP by 36 runs.

Great day’s cricket played in good spirits and pleasing to have chalked up my first win as captain for VoP at our wonderful new look home ground.

Thanks to the ground/bar staff the hospitality was good as it always is!

Tim Frickleton
VoP Captain for the day

Wiley Niven Boyle facing the might of Millbrook for his 31 runs

Niven Boyle scratching around for his 31 runs