Christchurch Golf Club vs. Valley of the Peace Cricket Club 2008

I had the honour of captaining a good bunch of likely lads from the Christchurch Golf Club ready to take on the challenge of playing the Valley of the Peace Cricket Club in the annual match on the 20^th November. Each year we are invited to play a match against this historic club and each year we accept and then construct a team we think is able to win.

The Valley of the Peace Cricket Club is set amongst tranquil mature trees and log cabins (changing room, caterer's area, scorer's box, and groundsman building) in the Hoon Hay Valley. It was established in 1928 as the Christchurch Cinemas Cricket Club (1955- Valley of the Peace Cricket Club) under the guiding hand of the Waters Family. The idea was to have proper cricket played by the Christchurch Cinema owners and staff on Sunday. Many great names and teams have played at "the Valley" including members of the 1932-33 English ‘Bodyline' team and Sir Garfield Sobers. It has always been an honour to be asked to play against "the Valley" and if the invitation was ever turned down you were unlikely to see another.

The ground is not very big, so 4s are 2s and 6s are 4s. This is why the scores are low (off 50 overs a good score is 180-200). There are a couple of trees on the ground to add interest and a great day is always had.

This year Callum brought together the team canvassing members as they chatted in the pro shop. He was unable to provide his able batting, wicket keeping and leg spin abilities this year due to prior commitments, but he joined together some confident young lads and older experienced wise heads.

The day was fine and sunny but our first problem hit the team before the first ball was even bowled with a player being called away to work.

We won the toss and batted. After a solid opening stand between Liam Cumberpatch and I, Liam was caught for 15 off one of the last balls from the new ball bowlers. The next wicket was mine for 22. Nice solid starts were also made by Fraser Callaway and Andrew Fergus, but no one "kicked on".

The team was under a bit of pressure at this stage but Mitchell Vincent joined Andy Bell and, after just telling everyone how he was going to hit the bowling attack to all parts of the ground, after a nervous start he was out for 0. Next in was our Canadian wonder Matthew Hicks and, after many baseball jokes from the rest of the team, Matthew told us he had played a bit of cricket so we watched with baited breath.

The first ball he tried to hit into next week only to get bowled for a golden duck. Now our team was in serious trouble, but the experienced rock, John Morton, came in and steadied the ship. After a good stay Andy was next to go. Gareth Sanders (our own Jesse Ryder) arrived and was Yin to John's Yang. After a few balls Gareth "let the hand break off" and did what Mitchell said he was going to do, hit it to all parts.

After a great partnership John charged through for a quick single only to pull up lame with damage to a groin muscle, and it looked painful. After getting a runner, (but he was so bad he needed a "stander") he got hit in front and the umpire put him out of his misery with an LBW.

A couple of overs to go and ‘TT' (Tom Turner) walked out to join Gareth. With overs running out Gareth took one more mighty swing. The leather made contact with willow, but he hit it down the throat of a boundary rider to end a great innings of 43. Their captain felt sorry for us and picked Matthew to bat again. Matt got off the mark this time and Tom grabbed a quick 4 runs and was out-stumped doing his bit for the team.  

All in all we had a solid start, shaky middle and great finish, gaining a respectable total of 164 to defend.

After some roast pork for lunch we took the field with 9 players; John was in no condition to field. One of the Valley's players fielded for us in the beginning. Gareth and Andy had a great opening spell. Gareth grabbed the first wicket caught behind by the nimble footed Andrew Fergus. After that runs continued to leak away. . . things were not looking good.

We bowled Liam and Fraser Callaway with tidy spells, but we needed wickets. After Mitchell got bored standing in the slips he started to chirp in my ear:  "can I have a bowl?" after every over. After a decent spell of "leggies" from Fergus and a good spell of medium, fast, and left arm (Vettori-like) off spin from Tom we still needed wickets, so I threw ‘Squirt' the ball. The Valley where four down and cruising. The first three balls of Mitchell's did not touch the pitch (they were what we call "pies") with one sailing into the paddocks. Then he got the ball to bounce on the pitch and there ‘batsman' hit what looked to be going over the long off-fence, but it went straight down Fergus's throat. His first over went for 6 and got us a wicket (the Valley needed about 2.5 an over).

I thought "that will do" from Squirt but after his "can I have another" he did get a wicket. He got another and the second over started and ended like the first with a great catch to Fergus at fine leg. The ball was following him around. After Mitchell's great little spell of 2 overs 2 for 12 we were back in it. The game was in the balance. There was now no sign of the extra fielder the Valley provided us at the start.

We had to try and do it with 9. I had a bowl, got a wicket, and the rest of the bowlers bowled well restricting runs and grabbing the odd wicket. With 2 overs to go and 2 wickets in hand the Valley scored the winning runs in an exciting game.

It was a great game of cricket played in good spirit and a fun day was had by all. There were good performances from our whole team. Our player of the day was Gareth Sanders (43 and 2 for 17 off 8). He may get a promotion from number 9 next year.

The Valley of the Peace produced a great pitch and they always look after you with food and drinks. We look forward to next year's challenge.

If you would be interested playing in this match please let Callum or I know.

Glenn Bongartz