Annual Pincher Creek Cricket Match a time for fun and laughter

Pincher Creek Cricketeers
T. Lucas photos

Toni Lucas

The Pincher Creek annual Cricket Match happened Sunday, afternoon June 22 at Lions Park. People came to play, cheer, or get to know more about the game. Moira Robbins is one of the main organizers of the event and was thrilled that there were so many new faces on the pitch. There were players new to the game, lifelong enthusiasts, and some that had traveled all the way from Calgary just to take part. The rules were relaxed and everything was casual and friendly.

The players alternate through positions, taking turns at batting, bowling, and field giving everyone a chance to learn all of the game. This made it easier for newcomers to be coached through the position that they were playing and for people to be added throughout the game. According to Robbins the Pincher Creek Cricket Match started at least 15 years ago as a way for people from Australia and New Zealand to get to know other people in the area that were from home and to celebrate their sports culture. "It was Ozzies and Kiwis originally," she said, expressing delight at being able to share the game with newcomers. Sunday there were people who were happy to represent the West Indies, England, and Canada as well.  Everyone was welcomed with open arms.

Emilie Charette at bat, Sherman Eugene looks on

Tim Jorgensen and Chris Charette running

There was gentle taunting between friends, helpful instructions to those new to the game, and a new vocabulary for anyone that was willing to learn it.  The batter stands in the crease and defends the wooden wicket with a bat.  The bowler throws the ball.  They have to bounce the ball before it reaches the batter and they are trying to knock the bails, or tiny wood dowels off the top of the wickets.  Batters defend the wicket, hit the ball, then run between the two wickets while the other team tries to put them out by catching the ball before it bounces, or tagging the wicket before the runner makes it to the crease.  If I have this all wrong, I accuse a giggling Australian of purposely misinforming the press.  Perhaps they were English... you know who you are.

Mike Barkwith at bat

Frank Woods is perfectly in tune with the game

Afterward a number of the players went out to a restaurant together to re-hash the game, get to know each other better, and to cement old friendships. All in all, everything was cricket.