Bottom Paddock
Sunday February 8 near Masterton in the Wairarapa Valley Strollers won by 10 runs Strollers 168-7
(30 overs; Timperley 40ret, Levermore 38, Addis 27, Thomas 16, McDougall 10)
Bottom Paddock 158-9
(30 overs; McDougall 2-12, Loan 1-5, Read 1-9, Timperley 1-10, Love 1-14, Ovenden 1-21, Wyatt 1-21, Levermore 1-18)
The Exiles converged eagerly on Bottom Paddock from
Wellington, Auckland, Hawkes' Bay and the Rangitikei, bringing with them small
children, dogs, tents, the Read-mobile, and that essential piece of country
furniture, the LGD*.
Hope and expectation were at their highest, there being no
lingering physical, mental or emotional distress from the week before – the
fixture against VUWCC Old Lions having been cancelled due to pitch
unavailability.
The lush outfield, and the height of the grass, was
testament to the significant January rainfall. The threat of a further
hosing from the heavens saw the match reduced from 33 overs to 30 before a ball
was bowled.
Skipper Piers Ovenden won the toss, and then agonised for
several minutes, transfixed by the pitch, much to Roger's amusement and then
growing frustration. Eventually Pies decided to follow dictum and bat first;
Roger agreeing that was the right decision; as he would have bowled first had
he won the toss.
As we passed the midway point of our innings, Roger's view
seemed vindicated: Strollers 52-5 off 17 overs. James Timperley and Reuben
Levermore, spotted deep in conspiratorial conversation during drinks, then
turned the match on its head. Their tactics – mixing quick singles from forward
defensives with larrups over the long grass to the boundary – proved highly
effective, the pair putting on 90 for the sixth wicket in 11 overs. Andrew
Thomas closed the innings with a blistering cameo, launching chest-high
missiles over or through the fence from his first three balls.
The Bottoms' approach was to keep wickets in hand and build
a platform for their middle order to make it rain on the surrounding pasture.
The chase quickly accelerated from 53-2 after 12 overs (Doran Wyatt taking a
sharp catch off the bowling of Mike Loan), to 86-3 after 15. Choi Jackson added
another dynamic chapter to his life story (working title 'I wish I could play
the Strollers every week'), retiring on 45 from 17 balls, including five sixes.
The match was set for a grand finish.
Julian Read and Timperley bowled beautifully in tandem to
slow the run rate, Read clipping Ryan Isaac's off stump to dismiss him for 23,
a key moment. Thomas then took a circus catch at deep cow to dismiss the
honourable Kieran McAnulty off the skipper's non-spinning off-breaks. With 19
runs required from the last two overs, Hamish McDougall handed the gloves to
Justin Fredrickson and staked a strong claim to a new role as death
bowler, taking two wickets for one run from the 29th over.
The traditions were upheld – a celebratory dip in the
sacred grove, a fine bbq, speeches, player of the day awards – as players
and supporters mingled. It was great to see the youth programme flourishing,
with pre-teens from both clubs invading the pitch at every break in play, and
after the game, to mimic their middle-aged heroes.
With thanks to all
involved at BPCC – Andi, Jeremy, Ted, Paul et al – in preparing the ground and
making the day happen. We look forward to next year!
* Little Green Dunny
Capt: Piers Ovenden. Wkt: Hamish McDougall/Justin Fredrickson.
Match report: Piers Ovenden. |
