Valley of Peace vs Christchurch Police XI, 15th Jan 2023

After an historic 23-run victory in 2022, the Valley of Peace Cricket Club was looking for two in a row against the Christchurch Police XI, traditionally one of our tougher foes. Things were not helped when one of the stars from that team and 2023 captain Kurt Bayer had to pull out on strict physio instructions leaving Tom Music to take the reins. A strong well-balanced Valley XI was named although scouting the Police pre-match revealed a number of current and former rep and premier club players.

A localised rainfall over the Valley wicket block made the toss seem particularly relevant. Music performed this second task (after filling the XI after a late-ish withdrawal) with aplomb, winning the toss and inviting the Police to bat.

Our opening bowlers Gareth Gibson and Dougauld Munro did us proud, inducing multiple knicks into the firing line of first slip, second slip and gully. Music for his part in this did not perform that task as well. Then there were the ones that flew through the gaps and around these fielders. Gibson was luckless, while Munro resorted to bowled as a manner of dismissal then later getting finer knicks and catches to Tritschler, the man with the gloves. He would end with 3 wickets after picking up the scalp of Valley stalwart Tom Byrne, who was drafted into the Police XI this year.

At 45 for 3 off 10 overs, we were happy-ish but Police skipper Beveridge and Glen Collins had also experienced some luck and were about to get set and produce a 111-run stand. Brad Moore bowled a lovely tight spell of 4 overs and while our spinners Kyle, Millar and Falls-Anderson would bowl some searching deliveries (and all grab wickets), the skilled Police batsmen put the loose ones away … often over the fence. Collins went on to make a magnificent 112 (including 12 x 4’s) for a well-deserved eventual spot on the honours board. The total of 233 off 40 overs was an excellent one.

After a fantastic lunch served by our hosting crew of Scott, Barry and Brent we set about the task of chasing and were confronted with a fine opening attack of Sullivan, Stewart and Lonsdale. At 30 for 1 after 9 overs, Music and Stokes were building the innings against searching bowling but we would soon fall to 54 for 7. Lonsdale in particular bowled that nagging pro length with just enough seam movement, whilst Kingston (2 for 6 off 5 overs) would also get amongst the wickets as per usual for this fixture. Late replacement, Gareth Sanders, would top score with 20 and Falls-Anderson added nice shots in his 18 but eventually, the innings would end at 95 all out. Amongst this carnage was a magnificent catch at gully by Davidson to dismiss Jesse, meaning our club captain recorded his first Valley duck in the process. It was great to see a Stewart Junior getting some overs late in the innings, indicating the future of the Police team is assured.

Aftermatch, we focussed on the fine hosting and facilities laid on by the club along with the batting and fielding of the Police. I will maintain that our bowlers held up their end of the bargain. If our fielding was sharper earlier in the helpful conditions, then the match could have been a closer affair. For those interested in a good competitive battle, do note this fixture in your future January calendars; it is a very good battle played in the true spirit of cricket with some excellent cricket on show.

Raffle result: Police 0 – Valley 3 (including the undeserving captain scoring a prize).

Finally thanks to my Valley team that went about the tasks on and off the field (scoring, umpiring etc.) with minimal fuss and the excellent support of a mentally scarred captain. Let’s hope Kurt is back in full fitness next year. I look forward to better things as the season develops!