Attempts to replicate the triple
crown of 2023 had got off to a good start with victory at Bottom Paddock the previous
weekend. The VUWCC quiz at the Waitoa bar on the Saturday night proved to be a
tight, nerve-jangling, affair. James, Hamish, Jono and Piers led the whole way,
only to drop a point in the final round, and then lose the quiz on a tie
breaker.
For future reference,
construction of the colosseum in Rome began in 72AD under the emperor Vespasian
(and was completed in 80AD under Titus). A quizzical eyebrow remains raised at
the Quiz master’s decision that James Cook’s visit in 1769 was to observe the
transit of Mercury (IT WAS VENUS!).
Any residual disappointment had
to be quickly shed for an early start at the gladiatorial arena of Kelburn Park
on the Sunday morning. There were five changes to the side from the previous
week, with Julian Read, Mike Loan and Jake Pearson replacing Nick Logan, Andrew
Thomas and Tim Swan. Phil Harris and Tim Prebble made their debuts in place of
Tom Addis and Glen Scanlon (fractured wrist).
Jono negotiated the toss with
Colin Owens and invited the Old Lions to bat first. A blustery Wellington day
dictated terms for a while, with plastic chairs careering like tumbleweed
across the adjacent croquet lawn. Steven Walter made an early breakthrough with
the new ball but wickets were hard to come by against a line-up that included
three ex-first class cricketers.
Pies Ovenden maintained his
composure to collect the wicket he paid for when Robbie Kerr deposited him in
the car park on the other side of the groundsman’s shed. Phil returned at the
death to claim a scalp after his excellent opening spell went unrewarded.
There was a welcome break for
lunch, once again laid on by our generous hosts. The consensus was that the
Exiles had done well to restrict the Old Lions to 211, on a good pitch where a
run a ball was achievable – if you were fit enough to keep running them, the
boundaries being on the larger end of the scale.
Wickets were easier to come by
after the break as the Strollers attempted to knock the top off the run chase.
Jono and James stabilised things and then picked up the run rate. Their
departures from the crease - due to retirements being required at the end of
the over the batsman reached 50 – meant something special was required from the
lower half of the order.
Phil survived a couple of lbw
shouts (no quizzical eyebrows here) and then played fluently for 44, ably
supported by Julian. Thereafter…the Old Lions held a couple of stunning catches
and we managed to bat out our 35 overs.
The post-match drinks in the
pavilion were well attended by partners and children on both sides, and
speeches and prizes well received. It became clear that this fixture is
becoming a much anticipated annual reunion for past players of VUWCC. We can
therefore look forward to a rematch in 2025.
Capt: Jono Addis. Wkt: Hamish McDougall.
Match report: Piers Ovenden.
