Good Season for Stokes Valley Cricket

Continuing last year's good form, the two top teams within the Stokes Valley Cricket Club have had another successful season so far. The Senior One side has been promoted on the basis of last season's performance and is now competing for the Hazlett Trophy. Our Premiere Side continues to compete in the Pearce Cup Competition.

The Premiere Side has secured second place on the Pearce Cup Table after a 108 run victory over the Naenae Old Boys at Delaney Park on Saturday 26 January. With five Wellington Firebirds in the Premiere Team, things look promising in terms of possibilities for the finals. The five Firebirds are former Black Caps Matthew Bell and Andrew Penn, Richard Jones (who captained the Firebirds while Matthew Bell was away on national duty), Grant Donaldson and Matthew Walker who has had an exceptional season and has drawn the attention of national selectors. The Firebirds, by the way, have made the final of the State Shield Competition to be played at the Basin on Saturday 2 February.

Our Senior One side played against Onslow on Saturday 26 January and lost by 55 runs. The team remains undaunted and, according to Malcolm Hodgson of the Stokes Valley Cricket Club, they are doing exceptionally well considering that this is the first time they have played in the Hazlett Trophy Competition.

Due to an uncharacteristically wet summer with rain frequently halting or preventing matches, only six out of a possible 12 full playing days have been possible. This has had a particularly bad effect upon our teams' results as some games, where we were doing well have had to have been called off, resulting in a no-points situation, whereas other games played in other areas have been able to go ahead resulting in points for other teams. It has also affected players' ability to shine in front of national selectors who have not always been able to see what our players are capable of due to cancelled games.

Stokes Valley residents with an interest in local sport are encouraged to check the cricketing fixtures in Thursday night's Evening Post in order to see where and when our sides are playing. If they're going to be at Delaney Park why not come on down to show your support and maybe even meet some of the Firebirds and other team members?