The Valley Of Peace Cricket Club Inc.

The Valley of Peace achieved a comfortable six-wicket win over Hawkeswood Wanderers XI in the 2021 annual fixture. After winning the toss, Hawkeswood decided to set the target batting first.

The win was set up by the cohesive VoP bowling and fielding performance, one of the best I have seen in my years as a member. Seven great catches from seven opportunities set the platform with Will Tipping gloving a screamer (webbing) behind the stumps and Phil Harris catching a strident opportunity at first slip. Catches win matches – they say.

A great display from Sam Sidey with the ball (4-15) was a memorable highlight and well deserved. Tight bowling from Simon Carter 1-4, Ben Larter, James Hoban (2-11) and Hugo Davison (1-23) contributed with wickets and to the stranglehold on runs.

Top scoring for Haweswood, S. Burnett was caught on the long-on boundary for 26. Well set, if this chance was not taken, he could have gone on to a larger score and left the Valley chasing a more significant total.

Valley debutants, Harry Peeters and Benji Andrews, both contributed with wickets tidying up the lower order and the Hawkeswood Wanderers XI were surgically bowled out for 102 with overs remaining.

I congratulate the entire Valley unit for the performance. The Valley were set 103 to win.

Sam Sidey saw off the new ball well. As president of the Cheviot CC he had a fair amount of heat batting for the VoP. As his opening partner, we set the platform for the win, and I was fortunate to go on to make 50.

Will Tipping was caught early in his innings with the catch of the day by Mr Woods, caught and bowled for the Hawkeswood XI. Bert Walker commented, “the catch remains a scintillating memory in my short tenure of six decades with the club.”

Ben Larter, Simon Carter, and Hugo Davison brought the team home comfortably and showed maturity in their approach. Chasing small targets always remains a psychological challenge late in the day. The Valley went on to hunt down the target with six wickets in hand.

(Simon Carter remained Not Out 17 and Hugo Davison Not Out 11.)

Bowling performances for Hawkeswood Wanderers included a tight spell from Alex Kirkland (0-14) bowling left arm over with impeccable shape. At 15, he is a talent for the future and commendations to Hawkeswood for integrating young players into their succession plan.

Great game and a resounding win for the Valley. The players thank you to our hosts, for the luncheon and the immaculate preparation of the grounds.

Justin Haley – Captain for the day