The opening match of 2021 was against our adversaries from Elmwood Park, Team Boon. In the sixth edition of this fixture, hopes were high at the Valley for a return to winning ways despite the never spoken of pre-lunch annihilation of 2020. A 45 over match was agreed.
Pre-match things were going well. 9 of the original 11 selected players were available (a rare thing for January fixtures and perhaps a sign of less travel in Covid times) and only one late withdrawal which was sorted within an hour with less than 10 phone calls. The selection of one of the club’s top bowlers as a wicketkeeper-batsman raised some Valley eyebrows but more on that later. A good selection mix as always, from a Year 12 STAC student to those with 12 years experience in over -60s cricket, we were ready to go. The day had dawned fine, 25 degrees and on a slightly wet wicket, the Valley captain lost the toss to Team Boon skipper Phil Watson, who chose to bat, matching the Valley plan to bowl first anyway. President Cartwright in his address chose to mention the never spoken-of 2020 match and the ’13 for 7′ situation the Valley found itself in on that fateful day, but no matter, hopes were still high at the start of play.
An excellent opening spell then followed as James Hoban, Chris House and Graham Aveyard all picked up wickets at minimal cost to have Team Boon 19-3 after 11 overs. A sharp slips catch by returning Valley member Dion Blair being one of the early highlights. The skipper went searching through his bowling stocks in an effort to continue the momentum but Thompson and Gallop had come together for Team Boon and firstly steadied the ship, then took to the bowling, stroking any loose stuff into adjoining paddocks and across roads. 100 runs were added in 14 overs and talk amongst the fielders that 250 was on the cards but in his fourth over Stan Wooliscroft broke the partnership by dismissing Gallop for 61, and a couple of overs later, spin twin Kerrison repeated the dose by snaring Thompson, also for 61. Stan found form and took another two scalps to have Team Boon at 154 for 7 after 32 overs. Captain Watson and Ben Cartwright did well as we brought back our opening bowlers, adding 59 for the 8th wicket. George Ritchie, House and Hoban tried to stem the tide bowling at the death and with Aveyard taking two further wickets the innings was wrapped up in the 44th over with the total at 217. As well as Aveyard and Wooliscroft’s three-wicket hauls, Chris House taking 2 for 10 off 6 overs was a great return to form.
After another magnificent lunch, the Valley set about its chase, Hugo Davison being thrust the “Gilchrist”-like responsibility of keeping and opening. The Team Boon opening bowlers Welsh and Odyear were a handful (even during the 5 balls it took to “pierce” the legendary 8 slips, 1 gully, 1 leg slip first up field set) but at the 14th over we were 33 for 1 (ahead on the “worm”) but another sharp catch dismissing Music for 22 was a setback. At drinks, at 67 for 3 a platform had been laid, but Davison, seemingly rushed during a shorter than normal drinks break, was caught off Cartwright off the third ball after drinks for 36. Ritchie had made double figures, but soon departed, and unfortunately, a steady procession followed, three more ducks brought the total for the innings to 5 (just like the 2020 game that is never to be spoken of) and while Kerrison (2 not out) and Wooliscroft (1) improved their output from the past, a meagre total of 79 was all the Valley could muster. Cartwright’s four wickets (8-2-9-4) and Thompson’s two (8-6-2-2) strangled the lower order, great all-round performances from those two. Interestingly, in my previous night’s scramble for a late replacement, Cartwright was mentioned as an option. I am sure he will be welcomed onto Valley teams in the future. The fielding and combinations that Team Boon had been exemplary, a match for many of their CMCA division 4 rivals on a Saturday I am sure. In short, they out-batted, out-bowled and out-fielded us on the day. Thankfully, we were successful in both post-match raffles!!
During the after-match formalities, my selection of Davison as a keeper was further brought into disrepute, though not intentionally, by President Cartwright as Scott awarded the HW Waters Cup to Hugo for his 6-13 bowing performance from the previous season. Hugo did a great job and would have been our player of the day alongside Stan.
As always, thanks to Scott (and Tina) behind the bar and at lunch, a magnificent effort. Great to see Jesse and a few other spectators there during the day, a wonderful spot on a summers day. I must make mention of the grounds, thanks to Tony and the team for the work they are doing providing a carpet like surface to play on.
In my second year of this fixture, the results may suggest a change at the top in the future. All the best to those chosen and I take this opportunity to encourage members to put their names down for this fixture. The match is played in exceptional spirit against colourful opposition who I am sure we will compete against with greater success in years to come.
Scoreboard
Team Boon – 217 all out (43.5 overs) – J. Thompson 61, S. Gallop 61, B. Cartwright 34, S.Wooliscroft 3 for 25, G.Aveyard 3 for 28
Valley of Peace – 79 all out (40.1 overs) – H.Davison 36, Cartwright 4 for 19, Thompson 2 for 2
Result: Win to Team Boon by 138 runs
Tom Music (Valley Captain for the day)
