The story of this match starts well before the 11 am Sunday start. All the players and spectators are very grateful to Ant Polson who took the extra time and effort (and had the foresight) to cover the wicket from the Christchurch rain a couple of days out. That, along with Sunday morning cover assistant Jesse, meant we would start on time, the sky overcast, the heavy rain I’m told in rural Canterbury staying away and youthful Christchurch Golf Club XI team winning the toss with Captain Glenn Bongartz delighting in inviting the Valley to bat. A 45-over match, 8 overs per bowler, was agreed.
Music and Mario Williams were well contained early by Mika MacDonald and Fraser Mearns, the latter in his first CGC vs Valley match, making a double breakthrough in his fourth over, having Williams neatly caught and trapping Jono Collins LBW. Terry O’Loughlin came in and solidified matters, Valley working hard to get to drinks at 57 for 1 after 25 overs. Drinks often brings wickets and it would be Steve McLeod that would dismiss O’Loughlin (12), and then Valley debutant David Lloyd (0), in the first over after the break.
Tony Penny would be another victim two overs later, 67 for 5 in the 28th; not a great position. Some positive batting from Hamish Falls-Anderson (Junior) with 11 which then brought East Shirley legend Tony Gray to join Music at the crease, who had been toiling away at the other end against some good bowling and an absolute deluge of commentary from most of the CGC XI, all in very good humour, of course, his past time at the club meaning this match was akin to the Ashes test for him (as was his strike rate).
Gray with a breezy 20 not out, Music ending the innings carrying his bat and the total would be 146 for 6, and some fine death bowling from Callum Cameron making things difficult and the pace a vast change from the leg-spin wonders of Bongartz and chief selector Callum MacAlpine. The CGC bowled well, most of the bowlers improving as their spells went on. McLeod the pick of the bowlers with his 3 wickets, the Valley probably 15 or so below par (to steal a golfing phrase).
Golf Club started with an aggressive mindset against seamers Graham Aveyard and Chris House in reply, their 48 off 14 overs being twice the score of the VOP in comparison. The better news was 3 wickets had been snared, veteran spin twins Gray and Stan Wooliscroft having one each, Stan accounting for the talented Cameron LBW for 26. However, this would pair Gareth Sanders with CGC MVP Warren Wisneski, (the difference in this match, three years running) the battle with my spin twins being a fascinating watch for 16 overs.
My third spin option, Falls-Anderson (only about one-quarter of the age of the other two) then dismissed both dangermen LBW to leave CGC 91 for 5 after 30 overs. Hamish bowled very well, also taking Bongartz LBW and having McLeod caught by Music to end his spell with 4 for 24. House returned to dismiss MacDonald, the catch diving forward at backward point by the Ginger Lloyd should go down in Valley history. It was a beauty! 118 for 8 after 39 overs, 29 off 6 required.
The Valley team had caught well but unfortunately, we missed a couple of skyers, but we hung in there, Mearns and MacAlpine taking CGC to 138 with an over to go. The real story would become the three boundaries (one “6”) by MacAlpine in the 45th over to bring his team home with one ball to spare. Our bowlers found it hard to bowl to many of the batsmen whose golfing and hand-eye ability shone through and no more than Callum in that over where he iced the game, just as I as Valley captain dared to dream we could cause the upset. The 28 run 9th wicket partnership dashed those dreams.
My six bowlers all did well, but we couldn’t get across the line although I will point out the improvement from the consecutive 5 wicket, 113 runs and 40 run losses over the last three encounters.
After the game, we thanked Andrew Levenger and David Eathorne for their fine hosting (with awesome assistance from apprentice Josh House). Glenn and I have named the trophy I regularly hand over the D Eathorne Trophy, a fine member of both clubs. Again to Ant and the club committee, thanks for the support, and to the Golf Club team, hope you enjoyed the day and I look forward to the 2022 battle.
Short Scoreboard
Valley of Peace 146 for 6 off 45 overs
Music 66 not out, Gray 20 not out, McLeod 3 for 13, Mearns 2 for 10
Christchurch Golf Club 147 for 8 off 44.5 overs
Wisneski 26, Cameron 26, Falls-Anderson 4 for 24
Golf Club won by 2 wickets with one ball to spare.
Tom Music
Captain for the Day
