Priest guides LNZ home against the touring Wellington Wanderers

Follies Farm greeted LNZCC for their third match of a long weekend with rumours of Black Caps in attendance, uncertain weather, and a Wellington Wanderers side unbeaten in Ireland and already deep into their tour. With the visitors delayed by an impromptu detour to Portsmouth and rain forecast for mid-afternoon, a 30-over contest was agreed — an arrangement the over-50s Wanderers (playing their sixth game in nine days) were more than happy to accept.

Wanderers Innings

The toss is lost to history, but what matters is that the Wanderers were inserted, with Sam Martin and Lauchie Johns taking the new ball.

Martin wasted little time making his mark, picking up three wickets in his opening spell, including a sharp reflex catch behind from Dicky — particularly notable given he hadn't kept wicket for two years. The pitch offered enough to keep everyone interested, often keeping low and occasionally rearing up.

The Wanderers regrouped through Dan Brown, who punished anything wide and produced the shot of the day — an immaculate lofted straight drive. His innings of 31 was eventually ended by George Burdon, who took a spectacular diving catch at deep fine leg before later declaring that he takes "one good catch a season." An even more impressive achievement considering he had been on the field for less than an over.

The game drifted slightly as Jacob Murray and Andrew Barkle controlled the middle overs, before two quick wickets reduced the Wanderers to 78-6.

Enter Richard Calkin, who blasted 44* from 35 balls. The innings was made all the more impressive by the fact he apparently didn't realise the game was a 30-over fixture until rather late in proceedings.

The Wanderers finished on 136-8 from their 30 overs. Martin (3-22) was the pick of the bowlers, well supported by Murray (2-33) and Barkle (1-16) in a strong all-round team performance.

LNZ Chase

LNZ's chase began with shades of that Jonny Bairstow controversy, as former Wellington Wanderer Lauchie Johns was stumped in the second over with the wicketkeeper standing well back.

Any early nerves were quickly dispelled. Debutant Dan Lawrence and Follies Farm local Tom Gibson put together a dominant stand of 77, batting with a fluency that suggested they had played on the surface all their lives. Lawrence struck 39 before departing, while Gibson retired on 37.

Reza Maroof came and went quickly for a duck, adjudged lbw while attempting to punch the ball straight back down the ground.

Any remaining concerns were swiftly settled by Sam Priest, who dispatched the ball to all parts on his way to 35*. The innings was not without controversy, however, as Wanderers life member — and Sam's father — Duncan Priest was heard voicing his disapproval at an attempted switch hit.

With the platform firmly established, LNZ completed the chase in the 20th over, finishing on 136-4 and securing a comfortable victory.

Closing Notes

Player of the Match honours were shared between Sam Priest for LNZ, whose unbeaten 35 guided the chase home, and Dan Brown for the Wanderers, whose counter-attacking 31 provided the backbone of their innings.

As ever, the day extended well beyond the boundary rope. Follies Farm proved a superb venue — beautifully kept, warmly hosted and the perfect ground for 22 New Zealanders enjoying each other's company on home soil.

Special thanks go to the Gibson family for their outstanding hospitality, and to the Wanderers, who generously distributed wine, badges and goodwill in equal measure throughout the day.

What followed was inevitable: a gathering in the clubhouse, followed by the local pub, where performances improved significantly in the retelling and plans for future fixtures were made with great confidence.

LNZ depart with a win. The Wanderers press on to their sixth and final match in nine days and their much-anticipated visit to Lord's.

Keep an eye out for green blazers — and, with luck, a slightly kinder forecast.

Photos

Player cap awarded to the Wellington Wanderers captain