Valley of Peace vs Deans XI, 14th Mar 2021

How good it was to meet the Deans XI again.

Two years after our last encounter, the long-standing friendly rivals brought a sprinkle of youth to the table, as well as a garnish of accomplished veterans.

Players shared various views on the preferred numbers of overs per side, from 20-apiece to veritable Test match, but it was clear on winning the toss at the Valley that the Deans’ were determined to bat long and lustily for a maximum 50 overs. So, with typical pragmatic Valley spirit, we warmed up and pushed on out there.

Deans openers George H. Jnr and Hamish Mc started in punishing fashion, a 59 run partnership was up in no time before Valley’s teenage quick Will Bretherton and the only-slightly-more-sedate Geoff Olsen combined to snare for wickets for a further 12 runs, including a key middle-order wicket, Hamish Wright, for 14.

The Valley cause was helped by excellent close-in catching. The captain is tempted to note his adventurous field placements, but his cunning plans would have come to nothing without safe hands. From this point in the match, Valley managed to exert a measure of control, though Andrew Nuttall kept the Deans’ ticking with a 14 of his own before Mark Hume had his prize.

Crispin Deans totted a few before falling LBW to nearly-14-year-old Alex Fulton, who turned out alongside father Tim and grandfather Gordon.

Hume struck again for VOP soon after with the wicket of George Harper. Valley sensed the end was near, and murmurs went around the ground for young Bretherton to again mark his run. However, mindful of the spirit of the game, the recent form of the batsman concerned, and the sensibilities of all concerned, captain Tim took possession of the ball.

By the kind of chance occurrence that can only be found in a game of cricket, the batsman opted to sky one of his deliveries toward Hamish Anderson, who took a fine catch and nearly injured himself for the first time that day. More of his injuries shortly.

VOP were pleased to dismiss Deans for 129 – and just as pleased with the lunch – but this was never going to be an easy chase.

Hume and Anderson Snr made a solid start against sharp bowling from J Harper and H McCulloch, both of whom moved the ball prodigiously through the air and off the wicket. Unfortunately, the first to leave the crease was Anderson, who was struck on the foot by a delivery that was adjudged dead ball. A hard incident to describe, suffice to say the freak circumstances forced him to leave the field. Hume carried on batting vigorously and new batsman Bretherton showed some nice touches before he guided one delicately into the slips cordon for 12. Riley Smith added a couple before falling LBW to McKenzie, then Dion fell in the same fashion for 3, this time to McCulloch.

By now, at 48 for 3, the game was delicate for the Valley, but the mood was still hopeful as Hume marched on. Then came a decisive moment – Hume caught off the bowling of Harper for 37. By then, Geoff Olsen had accumulated a tidy 19, but his dismissal to Hamish Wright added to the wobbles.

Within moments, it seemed, 85 for four became 90 for seven as two Fultons fell; firstly Alex – caught off Wright’s bowling, then Tim, deceived by the flight and turn of Nuttall.

By now, with Valley hopes hanging on a toothpick, Anderson was pressed back into service – gammy foot and all. He proved adept at keeping Nuttall at bay, which made it even more unfortunate that we lost him so early in the innings. But he too succumbed in the end to Nuttall, courtesy of an LBW. At 104 for nine, John Kerrison and Gordon Fulton were tasked with pushing on for the final 25 required, but it was not to be.

With as many as 20 more overs in hand for a result, Deans secured a win by those 25 runs to end a warm, fine day’s cricket.

Thank you to my willing team-mates, the Valley team on the day and behind-the-scenes pre-match, and thank you of course to the Deans XI, with whom we continued this treasured fixture.

Tim Fulton
VoP Captain