The Valley Of Peace Cricket Club Inc.

As I drove past the Valley of Peace Cricket Club gates, the thick overhead cloud dispersed and bright sunshine burst through. I had high hopes of this being a sign of positive things to come for the match between the Valley of Peace and Peninsula Goat Herders. Little did I know.

After being only on the reserves list on Wednesday, I had been appointed captain on Thursday and was short of players by Friday. After some chasing, Jesse and I managed to find an XI but much to my surprise, on the day, I had 14 turn up, I am claiming that as a first. To be fair, a Covid-cancelled inter-school brought two young Christ’s College debutants into the fold, and by the time we started, a Valley twelve was ready to do battle.

I had also arrived to find Peninsula Goat Herders’ manager Masefield in deep conversation with our head groundsman, eking out valuable info. After winning the toss. I followed the sage advice and batted first on what looked a very good wicket. A 45 over match was agreed.

The day started with Bob Masefield presenting Scott 3 wooden bowls which had been turned out of the Elm which once stood in the north-west corner of the ground – so not only did the Goat Herders remove the tree as a working bee for us, they then went away and created these fantastic bowls from the wood. What better vessel for holding Barry Frost’s famous home made peanuts on the bar could you ask for? A special thanks to Bob and his team for such a thoughtful gesture.

Jesse Tritschler

A good opening spell by Wedlake and Nicolls had runs exceeding overs until the 10th over, though Phil Harris was showing positive signs. Mike Mehaffy was starting to find the gaps and by drinks, Valley were 62 for 2, debutant Nick Gibb at the crease joining Harris. Phil batted beautifully for his 40, his straight driving particularly brilliant but when he was dismissed in the 29th over, the run rate slowed with only singles being the main mode of scoring.

Archie Prain had bowled with good energy and pace, the Rangiora High student dismissing both Harris and Gibb post drinks. Paul Dearsley, in his second match for the Valley, hit our only “6” and we never really got out of second gear and ended up on 152 for 8. A cameo at #10 by our other debutant Hamish Anderson Junior gave the crowd something to cheer about.

Opinions varied, as only they can in a cricket pavilion, on whether we had enough runs on the board. The father and son opening partnership of Captain Ben and Archie Prain started very aggressively for Peninsula, aided by three dropped catches early, the captain being the initial culprit and portent of things to come. The scoring rate doubled our start, a family mix-up breaking the partnership with a well-executed Valley run-out.

The irrepressible Stanley Woolliscroft was introduced (his fourth day of cricket in a row) and his second over proved successful, having the elder Prain caught behind. The highlight of the session came when Rhodes lofted Dearsley toward long on, Anderson Junior letting the ball bounce in front then unleashing a throw from the boundary for a direct hit run out for the ages. Anderson Senior again impressed – not sure how many direct hit run-outs he has secured in his long Valley career. Young Hamish then took his first wicket, a good boundary catch by Gibb, but by drinks, the Goatherders had struck their way to 120 for 4, Richard Breitmeyer taking charge of the innings and striking the ball beautifully, in the face of much advice from Anderson Snr.

When Gibb took his first Valley wicket with the score at 127 hopes started flickering but were soon dashed as the good batting continued. Hoban and Woolliscroft grabbed a consolation wicket each as the Peninsula cruised to victory with 78 balls to spare. It is honest to say (and to cut a very long story short) that as well as his missed catch, every field change by the captain was met with the ball going to where the fielder previously was, fitting that the final boundary reflected that exact happening. Some days are just not good cricketing days for individuals, lucky the venue and participants make it worthwhile.

I do feel that our bowlers bowled well and created enough chances in the wake of some aggressive batsmanship, but we were out-batted and – despite 2 run-outs and 2 other direct hits – out-fielded and to be fair, a 3 wicket-losing margin was generous. Well done to Breitmeyer on his well-compiled 43, Matheson’s 38 at # 3 was also very sound, and there looked like there was still good batting to come at the end.

Apparently, the Goat Herders have lost their goat. Any information please report to Bob Masefield. I feel this was lucky for Mr Music as he could have been the first recipient of the trophy given to an opposition player!!

As always, thanks to Scott, Barry, Ant, and the team behind the scenes. Both sets of players are thoroughly looking forward to a return in the future, in no small part to the quality of the facilities and hospitality that these men do so much to help provide. To Ben, Bob, and the Peninsula men, congratulations. We look forward to righting the wrongs in 2022.

Scoreboard

Valley of Peace 152 for 8 (45 overs)  P. Harris 40, M. Mehaffey 26, A. Prain 2 for 27

Peninsula Goat Herders 154 for 7 (32 overs)   R. Breitmeyer 43, H. Matheson 38, B Prain 24, S. Wooliscroft 2 for 19

Result: Win to Peninsula Goat Herders by 3 wickets.

Tom Music (Valley Captain for the day)

 

And a few photos from Jim Smith, with thanks:

And the few “stayers” who went the distance: