Wekas revive charm of country house cricket

Leading the charge: Craig Christophers has been given the captain's duties for the Wekas ahead of their match against the Southland development squad at Gisborne Intermediate School at 11am tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

Country house cricket was the most civilised and enjoyable form of the great game ever played.

Its modern equivalent will be on show tomorrow at Gisborne Intermediate School from 11am, with the Poverty Bay Wekas hosting the Southland development squad.

The playing format is for an 11-a-side, 40-over match.

The development squad play at Millbrook Corner in Arrowtown. The iconic Wekas are a composite side who were created and led by Poverty Bay Cricket Association patrons John Heikell and John McFarlane. The team wore multi-coloured caps representative of the various Bay clubs.

Last year, old Weka Grant Walsh elaborated on the outfit's revival: “Bringing back the Wekas came about with the desire of the over-40s here who remain competitive to play socially, but also to give young guys exposure — the experience of playing with older cricketers.”

With the blessing of Agnes and Grainger (John's widow and son), these Wekas won the Queenstown International Sixes. Last January they became only the third Champions League Champions to be crowned, after the development squad and Auckland's Never Weres.

High School Old Boys stalwart, former Gisborne Boys' High School first 11 player, Poverty Bay representative and outgoing Gisborne Intermediate principal Glen Udall said: “They're good people. Although we won the game here last year, that's not important; the mateship, the camaraderie is the most important thing. We want everyone to enjoy the experience, because it's great to have the Wekas back.”