The JP Chronicles - the cricket match

Yippeeeee - sunny but cold.

We had a leisurely start to the day and then went over to the stadium in Tiramu to watch the cricket....this was a special match. The Mark Parker memorial match.

.....and Mark Parker was the reason these exchanges with Winchester College started. Mark played cricket at St Cross cricket club next to Winchester College and he had a lot to do with the school. Tragically he was killed in the Bali bombing. His Father teaches at Timaru Boys and it was decided to set up a trust in memory of Mark -this was then used to help fund the cost of a boy visiting Winchester each year to play cricket and attend the school - Winchester also helped with the funding. Winchester boys then went over to Timaru but usually as part of a gap year like James.

This memorial cricket match happens every year and all the scholarship exchange boys from past years play - including Karen and Pete's son Bill who came down from Christchurch. We also met Marks parents Verna and Murray.





The sun came out! Arthur is under the big hat seated talking to Karen and Pete is standing.





Talking to Verna and Karen at the match.....

Oh yes and James was playing...












He played well but the team lost - they were really playing a more senior team. The presentation at the end was heartfelt as Mark's Dad presented the trophy...










A great day and over all too quickly - we all returned to Karen's for supper as tomorrow Arthur and I were moving on......