It was a match for the Cricket Statistician; it was a day for the Cricket Historian.
Fading memories recalled two years earlier the Medbury Headmaster’s XI had imposed defeat on “The Willows” Club for the first time in a short but illustrious history.
Strange happenings occurred from the beginnings of this day. Peter Guthrey arrived early, unusual for him, although he was to forget his cricket boots. Although selected to play for “The Willows” he was an ex-Medburian and there was considerable debate over who had first call on him as the HM’s XI was one short. Neither captain wanted him.
Further, Richard Bromley, Match Manager, failed in his job. The flags were fluttering, the boundary pegs were in place, the tea urn was hot; all before he arrived.
The two captains of the 1995 epic squared off again, and again N.R.W.Davidson QC, on loan from the Winebox Inquiry, decided to bat on a ‘belter’. Mystery ensued on how the 45 over match was agreed upon. However the formula has been forwarded to NZ Cricket for confirmation; the distance from Heathrow to Harewood (Mike Dormer’s recent odyssey) was divided by the age of the venerable Headmaster of the visiting side. Forty five was the result and this seemed fair to both sides should rain/darkness come early on this day when daylight saving had ended.
Barry Hadlee and James Shipley opened for the Head’s XI and at 187 for none the Willowers looked “gone for all money” by lunch. But Michael Fisher, holder of the Dermis Canner Losing Captain Trophy, played his trump card: Hadlee had retired (from exhaustion) at 79 and Shipley retired with his century. The match had turned- 192/2 soon became 224/7 at 45 overs.
Gary Thomson and Ricky Page, for the hosts, batted beautifully and it was a privilege for all those at the ground to witness four excellent innings. It was not a day to be a bowler! Two centuries in one match, I believe, is a first and these highlighted a fine match. When Page departed at 177, the equation was about four runs an over for the last 15 avers and the Willowers reached their target in reasonable comfort although the loss of two wickets with ten runs to go sent some flutters through “The Willows” supporters. Derek Burrell soothed these nerves in emphatic fashion, finishing the match with a four and a six.
Statisticians at the ground would have noted the elegant first ball duck of David Brooke (he claimed he never saw the ball!) and the fact that Peter Guthrey in his fourth match at the ground has yet to bat.
Other good performances came from schoolboys involved in the match. Hamish Devine bowled with pace and fielded with considerable enthusiasm and skill, and Hayden Cox showed promise with his well-flighted off spin bowling. After the obligatory speeches and pleasantries following the game it is going to be interesting to see at the next Medbury-Waihi Cricket School whether the Medbury Headmaster is wearing the blue Waihi ‘floppy’ and whether the Waihi Headmaster is wearing the Medbury tie.