The Valley of Peace Cricket Club kept the streak going with a win against the Christchurch Golf Club XI in a tight match on Sunday, December 11th.
Yet again this year we were troubled by the weather (ECAN tells me an inch between midnight and 9am on game day), but managed to get in a full 50-over match. A huge thank-you to Chris Clarke and John Le Comte for the pitch and ground prep, the committee for purchasing covers recently, and Scott and Tina Cartwright for using their Saturday evening to put them out!
Losing the toss, and asked to field, the Valley got off to a good start with a wicket in the first over. Things then changed as this brought Tim Kirby to the crease who went on to make a well composed 60 runs. Drinks were taken after John Kerrison took a timely wicket in the 25th over and the Golf Club were on 86/4. Messrs Lawson (38) and Kirby continued to bat well after drinks but some tight bowling from Stan Wooliscroft (3/22 off 8) and Gareth Gibson (3/14 off 8) had the Golf Club all out for 186 after 45 overs.
The Valley openers made a good start with the first wicket falling with 47 runs already on the board. Kerry Holdem (32) and Cameron Pickering (36) had the tough job of seeing off another impressive spell from Mark Rountree (2/13 off 8). The Valley went to drinks after 26 overs at 97/3 and ended up getting home in the 45th over, winning by 4 wickets.
Thanks to our guests from the Golf Club, I look forward to the fixture in 2017.
Jesse Tritschler.
