The Valley Of Peace Cricket Club Inc.

The Valley of Peace faithful were greeted with less than Summer conditions for the fixture against the Waipuna Valley Cricket Club. Upon arrival to the ground, temperatures were hovering around the 12-degree mark, overcast, gloomy and perfect for bowling in what seemed English like conditions! A 45 over affair was agreed upon.

A quick inspection of the pitch and outfield confirmed that whoever won the toss surely would bowl first, much to the agreement of Hugo Davison! When the Waipuna Valley CC minivan pulled up, the immediate thought from several VOP players was ‘do you have anyone over the age of 30?‘ The navy blue, pinstripe blazers with Auckland Rugby coloured ties indicated these guys meant business!

For the geographical nuts out there, the Waipuna Valley CC is located in ‘Waerenga,’ almost halfway between Hamilton and Auckland. A quick glimpse of their webpage indicates they are also a rural cricket club promoting the summer game, aiming to have friendly matches and social events each year. They are currently developing their home ground and building changing rooms. One of the players was so proud of this, that he quickly pulled out his cell phone and proceeded to show the scorer photos on his phone!

The Wombats, as they are affectionately known, introduced themselves to the VOP players before the toss was made. Captain of the day Chris House making his inaugural debut as Captain of the Valley, headed out to the middle with Waipuna Captain Carl Schwarz. Interestingly, Carl had an uncanny look-alike to former Australian allrounder Shane Watson. After asking him what number he batted at, I was hoping he didn’t bat like him!

Waipuna won the toss and decided to have a bat. A strange decision, given the apparent juiciness of the Valley track. Captain House would have bowled anyway!

Some tight bowling in the first spell from Rumesh Warnakulasuriyage and Hugo Davison saw the visitors at 2 for 16 after the first ten overs. Rumesh doing the initial damage picking up 2 wickets in his first 3 overs. Both bowlers bowled with great pace and carry indicating batting could prove somewhat difficult. Hugo Davison got lots of chances in his spell but was unable to get the edge which he was threatening often.

First change bowler James Hoban came on and snared a wicket in his 3rd over putting the visitors at 3 for 43 after 18 overs. A 50-run partnership got the Wombats into a better position before Shane Watson’s look-alike Schwarz was caught off the bowling of Paul Dearsley. Paul ended up taking 2 for 17 off his 6 overs in a tidy spell.

Waipuna Valley all-rounder J Sullivan contributed with a well-timed 40, including 5 sixes and 6 fours. There was more tail-wagging than a labrador on steroids coming from the Waipuna Wombats which took their final score to 8 for 179. Bowling performance for the VOP went to Rumesh with an impressive 2 for 9 off 6 overs.

After a hearty lunch including the famous VOP curried eggs laid out in full glory by Barry and Scott, the VOP openers Paul Bateman and Jonty Dalziel did their best to weather the Waipuna Valley bowling attack which was accurate and threatening. Scoring was difficult, to say the least, with both openers back in the pavilion for an early refreshment and shower for 1 apiece. Things were not looking good at 2 for 6! After the first ten, the VOP was sitting similarly at 2 for 15 as the Wombats were.

Enter Mark Hume who came out and made a well-compiled 30. Hugo Davison was chomping at the bit to be the ‘anchor,’ that he does so well for the Valley. Hugo was looking very comfortable in the middle before being given lbw for 11. After this, the VOP unfortunately never got out of second gear with tight fielding and bowling from the Northern visitors.

‘Better late than never‘, Tim McConnell who was playing as a substitute player arrived just in the nick of time to make a well-compiled and aggressive 23, batting at 7. Captain House had a brain fade, toeing the ball to mid off for 7 thinking he could up the run chase. An injured Brian Plaskett, surely taking honours for the most elegant number 11 of all time, ran out of partners finishing with 5 n.o.

Despite some tight bowling from the Valley, restricting what was a formidable, young side for 179 off 45 overs, the visitors’ tight bowling and handy fielding eventually rolled the Valley for 108 off 33 overs. Time was definitely on the Valley’s side had we held our wickets and batted with our heads down.

Cricket was the eventual winner on the day as the Waipuna lads were top-notch and a pleasure to play against. The invitation was laid down from the Wombats for a potential rematch next season, including a possible trip to their domain. The 4-game South Island road trip came to a successful end for the Waipuna CC finishing 4 from 4. For the VOP, it’s back to the drawing board and a reset of tactics for the next fixture. See you all in the nets!

Thank you to Scott, Barry, Cameron and everyone who assisted on the day to make for a very enjoyable occasion yet again. It is safe to say the visitors were impressed and enjoyed their experience at the Valley.

Chris House, Captain for the day.