Cricket’s great 75th celebration

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Cricket Club celebrated its 75th Jubilee in style during Waitangi weekend.

“It was a great weekend,” the Club Captain Callum Mackaness told the “Wainuiomata News”.

Around 180 people attended over the weekend and there was an excellent turnout of 140 people for the formal dinner, which was the climax of the 75th celebrations.

Black Caps Ewen Chatfield and Evan Grey were guest speakers at the formal dinner, and regaled those attending with stories of interesting times they have had with the New Zealand team.

Two people were presented with life membership of the club at the formal dinner, and a series of Baggy Cap presentations were made. Baggy Caps are presented to players who have chalked up 100 and then 200 games for the club.

Three cricket matches featured during the weekend, an exhibition match featuring, among others, former All Black Piri Weepu, and two club competition games.

Wainuiomata’s second XI starred for the club during the weekend in their match against Northern Park at Brian Heath Park.

Batting first, Wainuiomata was all out for 146.

Dijo John was the top scorer for the home team. After reaching his half century, Dijo continued, scoring eight more runs before he was run out.

Wainuiomata then bowled Northern Park out for 43 runs, with only two players making double figures.

Jordan Carr bowled outstandingly for Wainuiomata, taking six wickets and conceding only 26 runs from his 11 overs. Wainuiomata then enforced