There goes another season of Twilight cricket. This season the weather was abysmal. And the team numbers were down to just three. No need for a finals day and we have had to cancel the Palmerston North Twilight Cricket tournament due to failure to set a date. On the other hand a number of fine matches were played against each other and the invitational teams Raiders and Trackers.

Wainuiomata again proved to be dominant, beating both Whitby and the Jental Jiants fairly easily All games up to Xmas were washed out in the original schedule but were able to be played on fall-back days. A total of seven matches were played this season. Compare this to the 11 matches in total played by my regular Saturday club side. And they were good games too, being on artificial wickets balanced out the softer outfield conditions.

In this the fifth year of the HVTC we had 3 teams in the league, down 1 team from last year. Still despite that many good matches were played. Some of us also played for the Wanderer's cricket team that provided much opportunity for those of us who are overtly keen to play the game! The Wanderer's play mainly mid-week 40 over cricket (lunchtime starts) against school sides.

Next season will probably continue much like the last, baring some dramatic turnaround in participation levels. There are signs this could happen - 8,000 people at the 2^nd test on Saturday, and more than 15,000 at the ODI against England suggests that cricket is back at a higher level of interest than the 2-5,000 crowds the previous year.

Have a great winter and I will see you again in the Spring.

Kevin "Cowboy" Patterson

Manager, Hutt Valley Twilight Cricket