Fulton fifty sets up a rain-beating win at Broadhalfpenny Down

The build-up in the week prior to game day was focused on the most British of pastimes: the weather. With no fewer than 15 screenshots and reports of various forecasts and rain radars shared amongst the team, the anxiety centred on predictions of rain from around 2pm—raising the prospect of travelling an hour and a half (or five hours in Shekhar’s case) only for it to start raining just as we were about to begin.

Despite the nerves, Match Manager Allan pressed on, booking 16 seats for lunch ahead of the game at the famous Bat & Ball pub across the road from the ground. The consensus was clear: we go no matter what. If nothing else, a team bonding session at the pub awaited.

The morning of the game broke with sunlight streaming through bedroom windows, and the team duly assembled for lunch (with Reza and John arriving fresh from a vineyard tour just out of town).

Fuelled and primed, we made our way to the ground, where we were met by the Brigands skipper who, as it happened, had also been closely watching the rain radar all week. It was quickly agreed that we would forgo the traditional declaration format in favour of a 30-over match to ensure a game before the forecast rain, now expected around 6pm. Brigands won the toss and generously put LNZCC into bat.

Reza and Adam strode out confidently in warm sunshine and set about building the innings in methodical fashion until Reza was undone by one that kept low and straight, departing LBW for 16. Captain for the day, Cheyne Voss, strode out next. Off the back of an unfortunate 0 off 20 against Wimbledon in the season opener, and with his parents and two children watching, he was soon heading back to the pavilion after missing the first ball, which “hooped miles and kept low”.

Allan was next at the crease, promoted up the order in a moment of generosity from the captain. He was left to face the hat-trick ball—and did so confidently. Khanbhai, having watched the carnage from the other end, decided to wrestle back momentum, launching a lusty six over cover first ball of the next over. Not to be outdone, Allan followed with a towering six out of the ground, over the safety net and into the pub beer garden, with the ball eventually landing in the field beyond. His innings ended on 16, dragging one onto his stumps—another that kept low.

This brought Fulton to the crease, and he was there to entertain, taking nine runs from his first over. Fulton and Khanbhai seemed to be in a race to retirement, with Khanbhai reaching 50 from 50 balls in the 21st over. His retirement brought Van “Fudge” Naidoo to the crease for his official LNZCC debut (having represented the victorious LNZ side at the NZ Society “BlackPats” tournament last year).

Fulton's retiremtn followed two overs later, finishing on 55 from 41 balls, including six fours and two sixes, bringing John McMullen to the crease. Naidoo’s stay was short-lived, falling to another low straight delivery. Sam Priest joined McMullen, and the pair began to accelerate, with McMullen dispatching a half-volley over long-on for six before promptly losing his stumps the next ball. Not to be outdone, Priest also cleared long-on at the other end, sending nearby football-playing children scattering. Priest became the fifth batter to be bowled, bringing Thompson and Wilkie together at the crease. Undeterred, they struck the ball to all corners, adding 27 from just 17 balls to take LNZCC to 214.

All thoughts of a “quick tea” vanished upon seeing the magnificent spread: Biscoff cupcakes, lemon drizzle cake, millionaire’s slice, ginger cake, sausage rolls, sandwiches, and what many declared “the best scones I’ve ever tasted in my life.” Moist, with a fine crisp outer and just the right amount of cream and jam (jam first, for the purists). At that moment, it became clear why Brigands were so happy to bat second.

By the time LNZCC took the field, an arctic wind had arrived, and every available sweater, undershirt, and vest was donned. Fielders ran between positions with hands stuffed into pockets or tucked under arms in a desperate effort to fend off frostbite and windburn.

Wilkie and Aryan opened the bowling strongly, with Brigands quickly falling behind the required rate of seven an over. However, in the fourth over, Peach, the Brigands opener, found his rhythm, scoring freely with boundaries and quick singles, seemingly at will. He eventually offered a catch at deep midwicket, which Allan duly shelled. Mercifully, Peach was back in the pavilion soon after, finishing on 51, and Brigands remained firmly in the contest.

The runs continued to flow as Henderson and Lovett-Turner rotated strike effectively, until Thompson broke the partnership with the final ball of his six-over spell—swinging one in to hit middle stump. Sam Priest followed up with a wicket in his first over, inducing a top edge that even Allan couldn’t drop.

With momentum shifting, Reza joined the attack and made an immediate impact: a run-out followed by a thin edge safely taken by McMullen set up a team hat-trick, completed by Khanbhai with a stumping off Allan’s next over. At 150 for 5, Brigands were in trouble, needing 65 from the final five overs as dark rainclouds loomed.

Still, Brigands had firepower remaining. Turner struck 18 from the next over to keep the game alive. A maiden from Wilkie built pressure, allowing Aryan to capitalise, and Allan—surprisingly—held onto another catch. Yet Rafi Abdeen had other ideas, launching his second ball through the trees at long-on, likely never to be seen again.

With two overs remaining, Voss was thrown the ball and managed to restrict Abdeen to just six runs. With 29 required from the final over, LNZCC held their nerve—though not without a scare—securing victory by 19 runs.

As players shook hands, the rain finally arrived, prompting a scramble for the covers to protect the wicket —a perfectly timed match in which momentum swung throughout.

A huge thank you to the Broadhalfpenny Down Brigands for once again being outstanding hosts, and a special thanks to the Turner family for a truly phenomenal tea.

Player of the match honours (and wine) went to Peach for Brigands for his unbeaten 50 from 41, while Fulton took the award for LNZCC with a superb 55 from 41, laying the foundation for victory.