Napa Valley Cricket Club Tops Sonoma Gullies in Calistoga Matchup

Yorkshire man Matt Wood made a welcome return to the lineup for Napa as the Napa Valley Cricket Club ground out a hard fought victory against their trans-Mayacaman rivals, the Sonoma Gullies, recently at the fairgrounds in Calistoga.

Wood hadn’t played for the NVCC since late April and his four wickets helped restrict Sonoma to a total of 139 all out from 32.1 of their 35 overs.

NVCC Capt. Tim Irwin had a strong bowling attack at his disposal with 4 first choice openers and plenty in the spin department with Wood, Harish Karsan and Pete Carson available to stunt any thoughts of a high score from Sonoma.

In the end, Irwin usedeight bowlers, such was the depth of the NVCC attack. Sonoma captain Anu Shah topped scored for his team with a credible 29 runs off 66 balls and held the Sonoma innings together over two hours before being undone by Wood and Pete Carson, whose safe hands took three catches in all, in the field.

 After lunch, Napa Valley started the chase with Australian pair Nick Withers and Scott Curwood under strict instructions from captain Irwin to not give up their wickets cheaply, or quickly.

As a result they had scored only nine runs by the time the first wicket, that of Curwood, fell in the 8th over. Irwin’s strategy, though, had worked as the opening batsmen had seen off the brunt of the Sonoma opening attack and from there in form player Inderjeet Singh let loose with a quick fire 26 off 11 balls in only 11 minutes before going for one too many.

New Zealander Martin Mackenzie strode to the middle full of confidence and built a steady, game changing innings of 33 off 63 and with Bijoy Ojha finished out the game in style, and just inside their allotted overs, as Ojha hit a four to win the game with five balls remaining.

  “After our first game of 2013 against Sonoma where we fell apart in the batting department I was determined not to let that happen today," Napa Valley Club Captain Tim Irwin said "A solid opening stand from Nick and Scott helped set a rock solid foundation for the team to build on and Bijoy “The Closer” finished out the game for us again, in style with a four!.

"That being said ,it was a truly all round team performance with Clive Richardson having the game of his life behind the stumps as wicketkeeper and Damo Sawle taking a great catch off Woodie to assist him with his four" wickets," Irwin said. "It’s fair to say that as the captain I had a great team at my disposal today with strong options everywhere I turned.”

 Sonoma Gullies Captain Anu Shah said he appreciated the efforts.

The traditional Clos du Val “Man of the Match” award was given to Sonoma Gullies Param for his all round performance with both bat (17 off 25) and ball (2 for 18 off 5).

 Score Summary

Napa Valley CC 141/5  beat Sonoma Gullies 140 all out by 5 wickets.  (35 over game / 11 batting)

 NVCC Batting – Bijoy Ojha (not out) 35 runs off 41 balls (5 x 4, 1 x 6) ,  Martin Mackenzie 33 off 63 (4 x 4), Inderjeet Singh 26 off 11 (4 x 4, 1×6). 

 NVCC Bowling – Matt Wood 4 wickets for 33 runs off 6 overs, Inderjeet Singh 3 for 21 off 6,

Tim Irwin 2 for 22 off 7.

 Next Game Details – all at The Fairgrounds, Calistoga

 Sunday 11th August 2013 versus Marin CC 10.30am – 4.30pm

Sunday 25th August 2013 versus Caribbean Old Boys 10.30am – 4.30pm

Sunday 8th September 2013 versus Philadelphia CC 10.30am – 4.30pm

Images Attached

Napa Valley CC Logo

Clive Richardson wicket keeping

Clive Richardson and Inderjeet Singh look on

After game team shot with names of players in photo name

Sponsors

The Napa Valley Cricket Club wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the following sponsors

Clos du Val, GoVino, TricorBraun WinePak, Portocork, Duckhorn Vineyards, Treasury Wine Estates, 3 rock marketing,

More details on the Napa Valley Cricket Club can be found on the website – http://napacricket.com/