The Canterbury Club XI made its way onto the Valley of Peace cricket ground ready for battle. After some false starts over the last few years with the weather, clashes with Easter and Cricket World Cup Finals causing cancellations, all systems were go on a fine Christchurch day. The match, played for many years, became even more historic as the first “Valley Global Tens” cricket match as both captains suffered from unbeknownst late withdrawals leaving just a little extra space in the outfield for the batsmen. With this in mind, CC captain Andrew Hopping chose to bat first after calling correctly.
They got away to a solid start, with most of the top order making starts. Accurate opening bowler Nick Thomas bowled a good opening 5 over spell taking 1 -12. Solid support saw the Canterbury Club 83 for 4 at drinks. We had competed well, only our ball searching ability in neighbouring paddocks had been called into question.
There was some nice batting from CC in the next spell, Carter and Costello showing fine form and strokeplay. The Valley bowling was probing and relentless, but best of all, I am pleased to be able to record that we managed to hold 7 from 7 catches in a fine fielding display. Led by Glenn Bongartz (invited guest despite being the Golf Club Captain vs VOP each year) his personal haul of 4 catches would be up there, he made cover his home for the day, as well as grabbing two wickets with a mesmerising spell of spin bowling, including top scorer Carter. The wickets were shared around, Tim Frickleton bowled beautifully but the surprise packet (as he is at least four times retired) was John Kerrison, eight overs on the trot nabbing 3 for 23.
Canterbury Club scored 166 for 9 declared in the 45th over (I think you declare in a Ten’s match)
Bongartz and debutant Justin Dove started our response positively, seeing off the opening attack of Davis and Costello. Bowling changes accounted for Dove and Music, bringing Frickleton to the crease at 47 for 2 after 12 overs. Some excellent batting followed, the drinks score of 99 for 2 was positive and the runs flowed. Bongartz, after some strong straight hitting, settled into picket fence batting, 14 singles in a row being just the ticket as Frickleton stroked the ball beautifully. The partnership was broken at 130 in the 32nd over when Bongartz departed for a well put together 36, what followed was the rise of the Canterbury Club like the Phoenix. With an increase in the volume and vociferousness of the fielding and appealing, the increase of pace (in a comeback spell) from Sam Davis and the guile of Carter’s bowling, these factors caused the main outcome to be the Valley version of the “Calypso collapso” as we descended to 149 for 6 off 36 overs, mainstay Frickleton out bowled for a quality innings of 58. With Nick Thomas literally fending off the bowling, and our second golf club invited guest Callum MacAlpine staying solid, the other Valley boys held our breath waiting for the drama to unfold. It took 11 overs, and 2 byes to finish, but these two got the Valley home with a couple of overs (and wickets) to spare.
A great day of cricket, played in a friendly competitive spirit by two well-matched sides in many respects. Off the field, Russell Lange and Rebecca from the Canterbury Club were excellent hosts, the day running very smoothly and we look forward to the future of the fixture. Thanks to Chris and John (especially for your extra shift on game day morning) for the wicket preparation and all those behind the scenes. It was great to get over the line with a win with so many contributors (including those catches). Thanks to those Valley players (and increasingly late ring-ins) that made themselves available. My humble apologies to those I may have woken up in my Sunday morning frantic search in post-rugby Dunedin and Japan!! A Valley win was a nice reward!
Result: Valley win by three wickets
Scoreboard:
Canterbury Club XI 166 for 9 decl. off 44 .3 overs
Carter 36, Costello 32, Hopping 30; Kerrison 3 for 23, Bongartz 2 for 9, Frickleton 2 for 24
Valley of Peace CC 167 for 6 off 47.1 overs
Frickleton 58, Bongartz 36; Carter 3 for 35.
Tom Music
Valley Captain for the day
