Wellington v Christchurch 2nd April 2011

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Wellington versus Christchurch Bottom Paddock Ground, Wairarapa - Saturday 2nd April 2011

Just following April Fools’ Day the LNZCC Christchurch team departed the quake ravaged city to take on the might of the Wellington LNZCC chapter.

The teams converged on the bottom paddock at Paul Melzer’s farm in the Wairarapa countryside and while the outfield looked a little pasture-ish in places the pitch was a clay base, hard(ish) and had a nice Lords-like borrow towards the totara at mid-wicket.

The South won the toss and skipper Gray grabbed to opportunity to bat first and right from the off runs were flowing with Tim McConnell taking 16 from the first over. With Chris Kennedy taking a very circumspect approach (i.e. not getting the ball off the square) it was a little surprising to see him get off the mark with a six. In fact this was a mistimed cross bat with all the power of a dim light bulb, but it did have the good fortune to brush a limb of the tree and be declared six based on a very local, local rule. Tim McConnell (52) continued strongly before being LBW to Morgan. Singleton joined Kennedy and the scoring rate increased with Michael dispatching some mighty boundaries.

Unfathomably after an unsuccessful LBW appeal Singleton used sign language to call his partner through for a cheeky single. However, as Chris Kennedy didn’t speak sign language he was run out by some margin for a careful 41.

Aaron Gale strode to wicket, realised lifting suitcases hours earlier had indeed hurt his back and limped back to the hutch, game over. Maybe paying a porter would be a smart investment next time.

Singleton managed a strong 54 before being hit on the pad, and on looking up and seeing the previously run out Kennedy standing in judgement, he walked before the finger was raised. This was one of 3 wickets Grant Cross took, bowling full and straight, finishing with 3 for 23 from 8 overs to be the pick of the North bowlers.

The tail wagged with Lester getting 32 not out, taking LNZCC South to 223 for 7 off their 40 overs.

In reply Geoff Hunt and Andy Shackleton opened the innings, but Geoff appeared to forget the slowness of the pitch shown in the first innings, went back to the second ball from Steve Lester and got bowled. Unfortunately it didn’t get better and wickets started to tumble. 7 wickets went to catches, with catches taken at all 3 slip positions and stunning running, diving catches achieved by Singleton and Edwards (last Northerner there got to join the ranks of the South). It was a flawless catching display and ripped the North’s innings apart – with no chance missed and some stunning half chances snaffled. Only Troy Newton and captain Steve Wainwright provided innings of substance, in time if not runs, but none of the North rank and file stuck with them and a rather sorry 85 all out in 30 overs was the result.

The winning of the match was based on the rock that was the South bowling attack (Tony Gray 3 for 10, Ryan Edwards 2 for 6, John Campbell 2 for 8) who showed skill and guile to completely dominate things.

That evening Andy and Pam Shackleton hosted a barbeque. We had a wonderful feed of salmon, mussels, shrimp, and beef accompanied by some lovely wine from Andy’s cellar which was followed by Ryan and Ty on their respective instruments. More wine, more singing and then some more wine. Great night.

We also visited Gary and Pam Wells’ olive farm where we had a wonderfully warm welcome and got a very detailed description of the inner workings of olive trees and vines.

It was a fantastic cricket weekend away from Christchurch and our thanks go to the organisers on both sides and to those who gave their time and hospitality to make a very fine weekend centred around a classic LNZCC cricket match.

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