Hurlingham Club
- Saturday 8th September 2007
The
crown of the jewel of fixtures had some competition this year. Rugby World Cup,
one day international, round ball international and the first game of the rugby
season all added to the nutrition of LNZ side.
The omens weren’t positive either, when Hurlingham’s match manager Sam Martin
claimed that the side had been weakened by the loss of a former first class
seamer, to be replaced with Ian Salisbury, England’s former leg spinner.
Nevertheless 42 acres of pristine land and peacocks awaited LNZCC XL. The pitch
as ever was immaculate and the outfield which has a dual role as a crochet field
can best be described as bowling green, which it probably is as well.
Hurlingham had first use of it at 11am. Mike Oliver took on the responsibility
of bowling seam up and bowled with verve and to 4 slips. Short stuff ensued with
a pitch offering bounce and seam. But it was the rain maker Bartle, only making
his second appearance of the season after having put his name down for 5 other
fixtures that were rained off, who took the first wicket with a mistimed hook
finding the safe hands of Pete Gibson in close on catching.
Mike got his rewards a couple overs later with a Gibson airborne effort at
second slip. 2 – 49 and a positive start. Fishy was quick to point out it was a
similar score line last week…
Fish the prophecy, as Lunch was taken with the score at 150 – 2 off 34 overs.
It was the former Somerset county player twisting the knife after lunch, when
taking no prisoners in his innings of 144. Pete Tippen who carried out a mobile
into the field awaiting news of his first born, took a fine catch in removing
him. His century was scored from all shots along the ground. Surely a novelty.
This broke the partnership of 208 runs.
This brought Ian Salisbury to the crease whom looked circumspect coming back
from shoulder surgery during his first delivery that he dutifully defended. If
the first delivery was circumspect, the second cleared any fatigue that may have
been present by effortlessly driving for 6. This shot was to be repeated a few
more times in his short innings of pinch hitting.
But it was Fletch adding to his already impressive wicket haul for the season
with a few more including the test scalp of Salisbury. This brought about the
declaration of Hurlingham.
LNZ had 316 to chase.
Tippen and TP opened up LNZ’s response. They were greeted by some left arm pace
in the shape of a semi pro. He intent was clear, chucking down a barrage of
bouncers at the hapless Tippen.
Pete was flattened twice in a case of mistaken identity. It transpired Ben
Dormer was in cahoots with him and instructing him to bowl short stuff to the
opener as he threatened Ben’s grip on the batting award. Oddly Ben’s description
of the opener must have ended at ‘has dark hair’ as it was Mike Oliver whom Ben
was trying to describe as he stood between himself and LNZ honours.
Pete nutted out 11 before gloving to a posse of slip fieldsmen.
TP later edged one to the keeper to break an impressive partnership with Pete
Gibson against some sharp bowling including that of Sam Martin in a stand of 50
odd. 2-77.
Perky joined Pete G, where short stuff continued. Perky took on the challenge
and hooked well to the deep off a bouncer but was well caught on the boundary,
3-89. This was to be a gear packing performance from the newly wed. Where Burg
when you need it dispersed to all four corners of the 42 acres.
Mike Oliver took to the middle where pace had been replaced with prodigious
spin. In both directions.
The score was carried through to 144 with the commencement of 20 overs until the
end of play, where we required 8 an over. Alas both were dismissed. Ian
Salisbury had gone 12 overs without a wicket, but was to pick up the next 5.
Gerard Walsh picked a few up in his arc to race to 20 coping well with spin but
became undone with the one that carried one straight. It was left to the
incumbent 10 & 11 of LNZ culture, Bartle and Holden to play out the last 10
overs.
It proved one of the best partnerships of the innings as both scored boundaries
from cover drives and took the total beyond 200. With 6 overs remaining the head
hunting seamer was brought back in fading light and continued to pepper the
keepers gloves. Tension reigned in the ranks as Rich took on the last over. ,
Marty called no ball to prolong the tension further. Mike Oliver stated as the
last ball was about to be delivered, ‘Rich went out on the last ball of the day
against Hagley…
History was to repeat.
Once again Hurlingham extended an invitation to their end of season dinner. 20
of us fronted up with men in LNZ blazers (and trousers) and a fine turn out of
partners and wives. Fine cuisine within a fantastic setting was later
complimented with speeches from both sides. Saaed the new Hurlingham chairmen
presented the club a signed Sir Richard Hadlee bat, which will be hung at NZ
House.
A great day and night exemplified the fine bond between the two clubs, now
re-established after the fixture last being played in the late 60’s.
Scoreboard
Hurlingham 315 – 6 dec (50.3 Overs)
237 all out 324 Hurlingham win by 78 runs on the last ball
Batting
Runs Catches Stumpings
Stats
Anthony Penman
23
caught
Peter Tippen 11
1
caught
Peter Gibson 78
2
caught
+Shaun Perkinson 1
1 1
caught
Mike Oliver
24
c & b
Gerard Walsh 20
lbw
*Vance Thompson 9
bowled
Richard Fish 2
bowled
Paul Christian 3
caught
Philip Bartle 12*
Richard Holden 15
bowled
Extras
38
FOW 22, 77, 89, 144, 159, 188, 190, 194, 195, 237
Bowling
O M R W
Stats
Mike Oliver 14 2
82 2 caught x 2
Philip Bartle 13 0
91 1 caught
Vance Thompson 6 0
28 0
Richard Holden 6 0
31 0
Paul Christian 9.3 0 63
3 bowled, stumped, caught
Peter Gibson 2 0
12 0
Umpires: Martin Conway, Brian Wilson
GBK Man of the match: Pete Gibson, 78 and a couple fine catches. A close run
thing to Mike Oliver’s competitiveness with the ball and quotes of the day ‘I
hate losing’ & ‘Rich went out on the last ball…’
