Anzac match result: Aussies 158 Kiwis 146
This year's Anzac game was hosted by Phoenix Cricket Club on Friday the 24th of April and with the weather leading up to the game been the best it had been for some time, both sides where keen to get the game going. With the Anzac games tied at one all and the Aussies beating the Kiwis in the CWC final fresh on everyone's minds, a few words were exchanged between the two teams before the game started, some mentioning convicts and sheep.
With Darren McNamara, the Aussie captain, winning the toss they decided to bat first to use up as much of the light as possible while the Kiwis where hoping the use of a new pink ball would work in their favour.
Using Taverner's rules and 8 ball overs, the Aussies looked very strong and the only way the Kiwis saw the back of Matt Lunson when he retired after a quickfire 25. Neal Thomson came into the attack and struck with this first ball and thus giving the Kiwis hope that they might be on their way. It wasn't to be. The Aussies kept on piling on the runs with Adam Bamfield (21), Sam Farthing (18) and Peter Baxter (20) making valuable contributions. Neal ended up with two wickets while Barry Sweeney and Ivan Morgan took one each.
Back in the pavilion the Aussies were all hovering around the score book and it was for a good reason, no one had kept the score. After more talk about sheep and convicts it was agreed that the Kiwis had to chase down 158 to take back the title.
With the light starting to fade, the Kiwis started cautiously and with only Sam Anderson (27) showing any real intent, it all seemed lost. The Aussie bowling was pretty steady but the highlight was no doubt Luke Sutherland’s brilliant diving catch in the deep. Such were the player numbers, the Kiwis had to each bat twice to make up their 10 batters, all due to some last minute withdrawals. It was at this point the nocturnal Kiwis turned up the pace. Sam continued the fight back by knocking up another maximum score in his second dig and he was well supported by Barry (15) and Neal (11) and brought the Kiwis within a sniff of the Aussie total.
In the end the Aussies proved too strong for their next door neighbours and won by 12 runs. After everyone had changed out of their rain soaked whites and array of national teams colours, it was off to the bar. It was a great evening in Phoenix and we can not thank them enough especially Kate who went on a pizza run!
We are slowly but surely increasing our numbers and are looking at have a golf tournament in September, so if you are keen or just want to see what's going on in the future have a look at our Facebook page Anzac Ireland
Thank you to everyone who played or tried to come along on Friday and I know we all took a moment, be it on the day or over the weekend, to remember the reason behind it all. Lest we forget.