Players, Club Members & Supporters,

The Hagley match begun with the usual early London departures at intended times, and some just after. If only we could get the Hagley Hall staff to conjure up a breakfast to match the lunch and tea, we would surely be guaranteed a full team arrival in time for the a warm up, and prompt start time!

The team had a mix of (mostly) old, and new, with new team members Mick Gore and Nathan Edmonds. Surnames that are not strangers to any New Zealand Atlas and Cook Book respectively.

On to business, the toss was called accurately, and the pommy conditions suggested some new ball swing may be on offer, so Tikao chose to take the new ball. Literally. Youngster Dan Anson opened from the Church End, and found variable bounce, good pace, and consistent line. At the other end Tikao tested stand-in keeper, Pete Tippen (thanks Pete) with a leg-side delivery per over, and Pete responded with the enthusiasm of a man many years his junior. Ok, several years.

At 53/4 before lunch, LNZ had started positively, and looked sharp. The pitch and conditions were responsive, with some movement. Anson's variable bounce troubled the openers, and too often was too good for the edge. His patience rewarded with a tidy 13/7/14/2 first spell.

Lunch at 74/4 after 19 overs. The reputation of the lunch being the best on the LNZCC Calendar was proven once again. Sadly, due to a late start, only 45 minutes was allocated to sample Hagley Hall's catering, which was never going to be enough to test the waistlines of the Kiwi Contingent. If only Fletch hadn't done his groin the previous day. The secret weapon was unleashed for 1 over, but the injury won this time, and Fletch's ever increasing haul of wickets have been put on hold for another week.

The sun was out, the wicket dried, and we saw a different Hagley arrive at the crease. Namely, Big 'Arnie' Joe Lennon, who commenced a public spanking. No-one was safe, and when Dave Morgan, from the covers, boasted of his own former 6 hitting the roof of the church, and not the side wall, Big Arnie drove over one the church. One nil. The score had accelerated, the field and bowlers had tired (or consumed too much lunch), and a declaration of 261 for 4 came.

A quick turnaround and Ben Dormer with TP replied. Ben in fine touch accelerated to 60 in no time, and was unlucky to be caught by Hagley's High Jump entrant who's right hand 8 ft off the ground bagged the first LNZ wicket at 89. New comer, Nathan Edmonds came in, and looks like a good find, with text book technique, and TP and Nathan saw us through to further catering, Hagley style.

What followed was a run chase, for the LNZCC win, which was on-again, off-again, as our score and wickets ran to the wire. TP anchoring partnerships, with the top score of 70, Nathan Edmonds with 23, Fletch 16 (with a runner) Mick Gore a swift 12, and welcoming his debut with a 6 over the head of the Hagley bowler who took every wicket (minus the run-out). Dan Anson, then came in at number 9 and played a classy innings. 20 runs were required to win from the final 2 overs. This task proved too much for Skipper Tikao, who with 2 club games in the past 2 years, could only support spring chicken Anson, who was heading towards a famous match-winning performance. Tikao out for 4 in the final over, bringing in Club 'Rock', Richard Holden, for the final ball of the game. A draw was inevitable. What wasn't in the script was that Hagley and middle earth bowler, James Trinham, was already on figures of 21/8/73/8. James wanted the last available wicket, and to snatch the draw from LNZCC.

Ladies and Gents, cricket was the winner.

Full stat's are below. Thanks to an excellent team performance, which was painfully close, but no cigar.

Some notable efforts:

Pete Tippen: great gloves and top effort listening to TP & Fletch all day

Nathan Edmonds: nice debut knock

Mick Gore: useful all round contribution

Ben Dormer: rapid 60, and played the fixture his Father played for LNZCC 40 years ago!

TP: 70 runs anchoring the LNZ innings

Graham Diedrichs: would have had Arnie out if he'd taken a difficult catch, or if Tikao had gone back to the boundary instead of staying up, as the ball was hit to the exact spot he'd been fielding in.

Dave Morgan: useful bowling contribution, in his final UK LNZCC match.

Dan Anson: MVP worthy of GBK award

Fletch: pulls a groin on the eve of defending the Ponsonby Pies Handicap, automatically keeping the title for 12 more months, looked good with the bat, and batted well, with Nathan running.

Extras: excellent 3rd top score

Richard: not your day with the bat or ball, but 1 game out of however many hundred is allowed

Thanks again to Marty and Pete, WAGs and all who supported.

Daniel Anson        18    7   60    2 (c&b, caught)     first spell 13/7/14/2)

Dave Tikao           8    1   26    2 (lbw, caught)

Dave Morgan          9    1   43    0

Mick Gore            4    1   29    0

Anthony Penman       2    1    6    0

Paul Christian       1    0    7    0

Richard Holden       2    0   43    0

Graham Diedrichs     7    0   39    0