Waiouru's cricket match of the year

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 429, 24 March 1992, Page 12

Waiouru's cricket match of the year

BY

LEFT RIGHT OUT

The annual cricket match between the Waiouru Officers and WO/Sgts messes was held last Wednesday. Caught by the fever of the world cup cricket, both teams had been training secretly. On paper it was a one-sided affair in that the WOs/Sgts team was full of stars with narnes like Wixon, Creedy, Bateman, Dean and Bensemen. The officers had some current players but were potentially 'stuck' with local commanders wanting to play - Sinclair, Masson, Howie. As if by command the weather cleared and the 30-over game went ahead. The officers lost the toss and were put into bat. Grant Motley and C B Johnson took to the particularly vicious bowling scoring 30 and 31 but at a price. Johnson encouraged three runouts and then had to leave the field after being struck on the face by a bouncer from Gary Sparkes ('does he know of any other way to bowl?' was the comment of the day). Even Williams hit a useful 15. John Masson's time at the crease was short but effective - he hit a six, a two and then was out. Bob Bulman picked up the ones and twos for 10. Rod Sharpe and Ants Howie batted the overs out allowing the officers to score a respectable 132. In came the WOs/Sgts mess openers Dick Wixon and Ossie Osbourne with grins from ear to ear.

Dick Wixon was out for two after a brilliant catch by Ray Wilson, one of the three recognized catches in the team. Osbourne was useful and in came Cary Spartee and Paul Creedy. The batsmen started to take control and the game was slipping away from the officers. Team captain Rory McGregor brought on a relatively unknown bowler in Col Clive Sinclair, bowling from the northern end with the wind. This proved to be an inspired move. His first ball was skied by Creedy towards John Masson on the boundary. Despite the difficulties facing Masson - cold hands, sun in his eyes, poor eyesight, athritic knees, hadn't played since 1952, he took and held the catch like a pro and the officers were once again back in the game. For that Masson was permitted to bowl, which proved to McGre-

gors only mistake all game. Bob Bulman proved to be an effective bowler taking 2 for 6. Mustag Howie was also useful but it was Grant Motley who managed to get pace from the wicket. The

five last batsmen onl} scored 14 runs givinj the WOs/Sgts a total o 108. The result was j win to the officers in th 20th over by 24 runs. The WOs/Sgts tean was very gracious in de feat and is already train ing for the 1993 match.