Sunday saw the sun shining down as the NZ Army Officers arrived at the Valley of Peace for the much-anticipated battle for the War and Peace Trophy; start time was delayed slightly in order to let that sun hit the pitch and begin drying the dew off.
Having been revived last year for the first time in 30 or so years, the match used to be a regular fixture at the ground. Now that it is back on the fixture list, both sides are eager to ensure it remains.
The coin toss consisted of a quiet chat between skippers with the Valley being sent in to bat first. Cameron Pickering and Kent Summerfield were sent in to face the first volley with both off to a promising start against some tidy bowling from the openers. Cameron, flourishing his bat like an Officer’s sword on Mess Night fell on twenty, being caught off the bowling of Coom, resulting in Frazer Offwood joining Kent at the crease. He too made a promising beginning before falling for the feminine wiles of the only female on the field, Delia, for 14.
Time for the skipper, Ollie Dugdale, to enter the fray and, being the only ex-military man on a team full of pacifists, great things were anticipated. Alas, while “steady-the-ship” Summerfield remained in place, obstinately refusing to score the required 40 for retirement, Ollie fell to a catch off a ball from Major Bowyer which bore a closer resemblance to a grenade being lobbed over a fence than a cricket delivery, for 17.
This would be the last wicket of the Valley side, and Summerfield, playing for red ink, retired on 41. Dr Tristan Petit was sent in to salve the wounds of the Army bowling attack, but elected instead to euthanise, freely scoring before retiring on 43, matching an equally impressive innings from Mark Hume. The remainder of the Valley innings was seen out by Ben Aveyard (23) and Jesse Tritschler (21) not out, bringing the Valley innings total to a very healthy 254/3. A notable innings in which 3 batsmen (and extras) retired at 40.
Following a leisurely lunch, The Army Officers sent Alex Bowyer and Tim Mines out to the middle to face the ‘Father and Son’ combo of Graham and Ben Aveyard, who eviscerated the top order. Mines fell early to a superb delivery from Ben Aveyard, while Bowyer went on to make a start before being caught for 13 off the bowling of Aveyard senior. The Captain of the Army Officers, Dougald Munro looked in good form, but the experience of Graham Aveyard again proved too much and he edged one back to Jesse Tritschler for 21.
Brad entered the bowling attack and knocked the bails off with his first delivery to the new-to-the-crease Rudkin. Delia arrived at the front lines and saw off several batting partners as the Valley bowling attack proved too much, with Hume, Offwood, Brad and Pickering all taking wickets, leaving the visitors all out for 81.
All in all, it was a superb day at the Valley, played in great spirit. The cricket was at times excellent and at times sub-par from both sides, however, the socialising was always top-notch. We look forward to the next meeting.
Ollie Dugdale
Valley of Peace Cricket Club
