Snow falls on ski slope fun cricket

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 595, 18 July 1995, Page 3

Snow falls on ski slope fun cricket

The serious game of cricket loosened up and gave way to fun when it met the snows of Turoa on Saturday. Turoa's event, dubbed 'Cricket in the Snow', was literally that, with heavy snow falling during the latter part of the game. A team of New Zealand cricketers played the 'Turoa Giants' on a snowy pitch at the top of the Park Lane, providing much hilarity for participants and spectators alike. Pictures of Dipak Patel in stylish outfit slipping and sliding between the wickets in sloppy ski boots greeted spectators who braved the falling snow to watch. Peter Wells from the, sponsors, DB, umpired the game and Danny Morrison provided commentary in various hilarious accents as well as playing the game. Also on the DB team were Adam Parore, Brian Young, Dave Christiansen, Willie Watson and Justin Vaughn. On the Turoa Giants team were celebrities Neil Waka and Chuck E Shearer from TV3, as well as Tim Harrison from Ski FM and winners of special radio draws and Friday-night DB draws held at the Summit Bar at the Ohakune Hotel, the Powderkeg and Turoa Lodge: Graham Clark, Sandra Smith, Tristan Marshall, Darryl Townend amd Mark Goldfinch. Spectators stuck it out in the snow storm to make the most of the fun for the first part, but many slipped away when the snowflakes grew bigger and bigger. Murphy's Law proved its validity after the match, when the sun came out as the gear was being packed away. The snow made for a great Sunday however, with powder snow covering the field. Next weekend the Absolut Boarder Cross event is planned for Saturday. Snowboarders race 'motocross style' on the Why Not trail.