Napa Valley Cricket Club in L.A. at 'Wine vs. Bling' Matchup

The Napa Valley Cricket Club wrapped up a successful 2013 season by going on the road to Los Angeles and playing the Beverly Hills Hollywood Cricket Club.

With both clubs having connected thanks to the wonders of social media, the much-awaited battle of “Wine vs. Bling” took place on Saturday Nov. 8.

Founded in the 1980s, the BHHCC has boasted celebrity players such as Mick Jagger and Hugh Grant on their team in the past. 

BHHCC batted first on a beautiful fall day with blue skies and temperatures in the mid 70s.

NVCC struck early with Bijoy Ojha taking 2 early wickets in his first over. Another wicket for Ojha in his second over had BHHCC reeling at 17 runs for three wickets.

It was then that Andy Silva came to the crease and he and BHHCC captain Jeremy Reed stuck around to build a partner ship of 55 runs.

Silva's 35 runs came of just 32 balls and included the only six of the BHHCC’s innings on a ground with big, deep boundaries. He was undone by New Zealander Gus Cleland whose 2 wickets on the days came at a cost of only 7 runs.

Reed hung around with a couple of BHHCC team mates as he tried to anchor the innings to a big total but was eventually undone by the bowling of NVCC Vice President Andrew Healy.

The BHHCC tail tried to wag but some tidy bowling from Rob Bolch and Jared Thatcher along with a blistering over form Club Captain Tim Irwin snuffed out the last resistance and BHHCC were all out for 136.

After lunch, Napa Valley started the chase with opening Australian pair Phil Bourke (Club President) and Bolch both losing their wickets cheaply and quickly. It soon became apparent that this was to become a theme for the day as Fridays long travel day from Napa to LA started to take its toll.

The only batmen to really make a dent in the BHHCC total were Australian pair Tom Bruce and Irwin who each made it to double figures with scores of 24 and 12 respectively. A very chaseable total of 136 ended up being beyond the reach of NVCC as they ended up all out for 72

 “It was great to have a game against a like-minded social team for the first end of season trip of the Napa Valley Cricket Club and Jeremy and the boys here at Beverly Hills Hollywood have been great hosts," said NVCC Captain Tim Irwin.

"We didn’t play nearly as well as we know we’re capable of and after our hard work in the field and with the ball we let ourselves down with the bat," he added. "That aside, we ended our season in the positive having won more than we lost and that’s enough to put a smile on everyone’s face.

  “It was a great game of cricket against the Napa Valley boys and we’re so happy to have connected with them," Beverley Hills Hollywood CC Captain Jeremy Reed said.

"Hosting them was fun as they were a fun bunch that were well able for our Hollywood inspired banter," he added. "We didn’t think that a score of 136 was good enough but our chaps bowled really well and took the few catches that came our way.

"In truth, the game of cricket was the winner today as friendships were made and we look forward to visiting the Napa Valley next year for a return game,”he added. 

The traditional Clos du Val “Man of the Match” award was given to Beverley Hills Hollywood CC’s Andy Silva for his all round performance with bat (35 off 32) , ball (1 wicket for 23 off 3 overs).

Score Summary

Beverly Hills Hollywood CC 136 all out beat Napa Valley CC all out by 64 runs wickets.  (30 over game / 12 batting)