Under leaden skies, Ivanhoe’s 2022 season got underway at the picturesque ground in Chipperfield, as the Ives bravely took the field having been favoured by winning the toss. Drizzle in the air did not deter the plucky Ives, the cool breezes and damp outfield could not sway the brave Ives, nor could the sloping and slightly rutted outfield divert the brave Ives from commencing the season in stye.

The 35 over game was played without interruption from the weather, albeit in trying circumstances due to a lush outfield that gave next to no value for strokes.  Run-scoring was at a premium and hard running the order of the day…with nurdles and nudges making up the bulk of the scoring…along with edges off the faster bowlers – much to the chagrin of those that had charged in off 12 or more paces to see the ball disappear to third man for 4…

Chipperfield were ambling along at 3 or so an over, impressed by the excellent ground fielding (with two direct hits early doors showing the benefit of the fielding training), never quite pegged back by losing a couple of wickets. The introduction of Andrew Hauser, bowling off the short run, started a slide with two well taken wickets. Peter Oakley steamed in and showed the other fast blokes how to take wickets – a lesson Saqib took to heart all but cleaned up the tail with 4 wickets – a missed catch leaving him agonisingly short of a five wicket haul.  Chipperfield ended on 160-9, fortified by a fighting 49 before their top scorer was cut off by a combination of Phil K and Peter. The score was probably 10 runs above a par score, but well within reach.

Aside from Ciaran, who bestrode the conditions to score freely and never be inconvenienced, Ivanhoe’s batting effort was stymied by the slow outfield, good bowing and fielding. Contributions throughout the order kept the run rate in check albeit at the cost of wickets reasonably frequently.  Any runs scored were probably worth at least double on another day, and through dint of hard running Ivanhoe were always in the game.

Entering the last over, a handful of runs were needed, Ciaran in the 60’s and three wickets in hand, all three results were possible…sadly it wasn’t to be, as Ciaran was deprived of the strike and two wickets falling, Ivanhoe fell 3 runs short…an agonising result but a fitting conclusion to a great game played in excellent spirit by two evenly matched teams…

Three cheers and huzzah to the colossus that was Ciaran – Player of the Match!

Author: Hansi B

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