1st May 1994 under the watchful eye of Walter Hadlee, the doyen of New Zealand cricket, a cricket club in the country area of Loburn some 35 minutes from Christchurch, was formed with the express purpose of providing an opportunity for secondary school / college 1st XI cricketers to play against and mix with experienced players who comprise The Willows side each Sunday.
The first game was held on the 24th October ‘94 and as you can readily imagine, being new meant a number of loose ends relating to administration went unattended.
Then by chance, in about 1996/97 a cricket enthusiast arrived at the Ground to watch what I believe was the St Andrew’s 1st XI.
Well dressed, well presented with a very pleasant personality, sporting a large cigar belching forth a distinctive odour, was none other than Peter Nancarrow.
Peter soon made his acquaintance with The Willows contingent, who, recognising that Peter was a recent recruit to the South Island, semi- retired and obviously had plenty of spare time on his hands, was within a couple of weeks seconded, under duress, to assume the newly created position with the prestigious title as Match Manager. Peter accepted graciously, but what he didn’t know was just what was involved.
Asking for a Job specification drew a blank so Peter, using his initiative over a three week period, soon compiled a format which has contributed significantly to the success of the Club.
Peter’s format created a benchmark as to the manner in which cricketers, supporters, and others who attended the ground were received on arrival, made welcome and were provided with the necessities of the day, tea, coffee, biscuits, lunch, afternoon tea, a sausage and a wine in the evening which would make for a pleasant day.
From the time Peter arrived at 10 o’clock every Sunday morning without fail he would commence his duties.
Morning Tea served at 10.15am; the bell rung at 10.50am; Umpires ushered onto the field with teams behind; drinks served on the hour, with a plate of jellybeans; lunch money collected from the teams and supporters; supervised the catering arrangements so adequately undertaken by John Witty; ensured the plates, knives and forks were returned to the kitchen; rang the bell again at 1.40pm for play to commence, and then disappeared in a cloud of smoke around the ground.
Arrived back into the pavilion at 3:15pm ready for Afternoon Tea, this accomplished, off he went again with another large cigar, finally returning sometime around 5.00pm in order to prepare for a most important sector of the day, that was the Player presentations and getting ready for the sausage sizzle.
At the conclusion of play, teams were assembled in front of the pavilion with their supporters and Peter would very eloquently sum up the day’s play, announce the Player of the Day and arrange for the awards to be made to the boys, and of course, the Player of the Day Award to The Willows player which is, still is and always will be, hopefully, a bottle of Montana wine. Following the speeches by the boys and by The Willows’ captain, wine would be served to the ladies present, the sausages consumed, the boys would leave and finally, dear Peter would be left with some Willowers and a flagon of port wine.
Always the gentleman, Peter ensured that all those adult players were well serviced with Port, and of course he would then partake, not only of a glass but also another cigar. And then when the sun was setting on a glorious summer evening, Peter would gather up his brief case and toddle off, either to the farmhouse with Mark Savill or return on his long journey back to Sumner.
Peter not only acted as the Match Manager but was also a member of The Willows Committee and his contribution to the Club has been immense, so much so that at the commencement of this year, at the direction of the President, the Hon. Justice Hansen, Peter was duly made a Life Member in recognition of what he personally had done to ensure the little country cricket club in 1994 became an internationally recognised club which sends secondary school students on cricket tours to overseas countries each year.
To Gaile and David, John and James, The Willows conveys to you our heartfelt sympathy at this time, and gives thanks to you for allowing us to share so much of Peter’s life since he came to the South Island.
To you Peter, we give you our thanks for what you have accomplished and may you now rest in that great pavilion in the sky but please do not be too critical of a dropped catch or a wayward shot which sees the bails removed, and please be gentle on the administrative ground staff who may err from time to time in maintaining the high benchmark which you set for the Club.