Valley of Peace vs Wellington Wanderers, 12th Nov 2023

The warmest day of November 2023 with only the slightest of breeze greeted the Wellington Wanderers on their visit to the Valley of Peace. After a tour including a match at the Willows followed by a “rest day” they arrived revitalised and eager for battle. A few of us from the Valley accepted the invitation to the tour dinner the night before, and a good time was had by all. In amongst the catch- ups a 40-over match was agreed upon, with batsmen to retire at 50. I took a call with the fourth injury withdrawal of the week during the evening – I don’t know that I am going to send out the ”don’t get injured” line in my next team naming Tuesday email as it appears to have been a jinx of the highest order!!

First impressions of the ground for the first match of the season (to actually get underway) were stunning. Ant and the grounds team have done a magnificent job yet again, the pitch had a good covering of grass but was firm to the touch and was to play very well. President Scott Cartwright welcomed the teams in his customary style.

Valley won the toss and decided to bat. With the score at 4 without loss after 4 overs and the bowlers beating the bat perhaps some were questioning that call but at 76/0 at drinks and with Mark Hume retiring 4 overs later at 52 things were looking much more positive. The steady progress was halted as new Club Captain Irving (46), Wanderers import Alan Orpin and John Durning departed in relatively quick succession. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a Glenn Maxwell-type injection of runs in the last few overs Michael Mehaffey, James Gallagher and debutant Karl Smith saw the total through to 178, at the conclusion of 40 overs. The 5 wickets to fall were shared around the very useful bowling attack.

It is hard to gauge a good total at the Valley and though I thought we were a touch light, our bowlers did us proud in the first 20 overs, we were probably ahead having the Wanderers at 59 for 3. Ron Heyward, our second WW import, was particularly effective with his 8 overs 1 for 20. The breeze the locals could feel was nothing to a Wellingtonian clearly!! It must be said the bowling figures all-round would have been enhanced if we had grasped any of the numerous chances they worked so hard to earn.

Lancaster and Lees would solidify the innings going at 5 an over through the next 10 after drinks, Lancaster retiring on 50 of 87 balls soon after that. The last few overs became the Scott McHardy show, his 39 off 20 with 7 “sixes” locked up the result, in fact ending what was going to be a nailbiter with 2 full overs to spare. Lee, 49 off 59 balls supported nicely. Credit to Hume and Gallagher for bowling figures less than 3 an over facing a strong batting lineup.

At the aftermatch a dejected skipper admitted we had been out batted, bowled and fielded but really only just. It was a great match-up but also a great occasion and weekend. Hume clearly our player of the day.

Hardy was to have both the last say in the speeches, gifting a tie to our unique cricket collection, and then also winning the Valley Print raffle to cap off a successful day.

To Stretch and all the Wanderers who organised and participated in the tour, we look forward to not only a rematch but the growth of a new cricketing relationship that promises to have a long future. I encourage members to get their names down (and stay healthy if possible) whenever fixtures against this great touring club come about.