Crusaders win charity cricket match
Thirty of Canterbury’s top athletes switched codes for a game of 20/20 cricket yesterday.
Crusaders rugby players, Olympians and celebrities lined up at Christchurch Boy’s High School to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand (CFNZ).
The team from the newly named Crusaders squad narrowly beat an invitational side of all-star athletes, including captain Tom Walsh, an Olympic shot put medallist, and former Black Cap Chris Harris.
Crowd favourite Crusaders fullback Richie Mo’unga said it was great to see the community get behind the 34th annual event.
Most of the team were not cricketers, but they were all up for the challenge to put their rugby skills to good use on the pitch, he said.
‘‘You have to be fast. Good hand-eye coordination, communication, team work. A lot of it is the same across codes’’, he said.
Rugby fan Grahame Dutton had come with his sons to continue the family tradition, and to get behind the charity. ‘‘It’s great for the boys to see their rugby heroes having a go at another sport.’’
Josh and Lucas Dutton were both rugby and cricket mad, so it was the perfect way to see the players up close with the 700-strong crowd.
Crusaders supporter George Roth, 13, had some advice to offer the players switching codes. ‘‘You just have to slog it. Go for the six.’’
Brother Harry Roth, 15, held out to see friend and paralympian William Stedman step up to the bat and hoped he would ‘‘give it a decent crack.’’
Lucas Baines, 10, also wanted to see some big hits, but cautioned the newbies. ‘‘Don’t play it silly, wait for the right ball, then give it a big whack.’’
Volunteer Wendy Oh said the auction was the main event, and it was a huge success. A CFNZ spokeswoman said all money raised would go to paying for services and support, like ‘‘supplying essential medical equipment that is not government funded’’. Gem CreditLine and Gem Visa offers begin Monday 12 December 2016 and end Tuesday 13 December 2016. Product offers begin Monday 12 December 2016 and end Tuesday 20 December 2016 or while stocks last. Personal shoppers only, trade not supplied. #60 months interest free available on purchases $1200 and over using Gem Visa or Gem CreditLine. From no deposit. Normal credit and lending criteria and fees including $55 establishment fee and annual fee ($52 Gem Visa/$50 Gem CreditLine) apply. Prevailing interest rate (currently 25.99% p.a. Gem Visa/29.95% p.a. Gem CreditLine) applies to any outstanding balance on the expiry of the interest free period. Minimum monthly repayments must be made during the interest free period. The minimum monthly repayments of 3% of the outstanding balance or $20, whichever is greater, will not be sufficient to repay the purchase amount within the promotional period. Advertised credit offer is available in store and online and cannot be used in conjunction with any other Noel Leeming promotional offer. *Excludes all Apple Products, Microsoft Surface and Galaxy S7. Fly Buys consist of 1 standard Point for every $25 you spend at Noel Leeming. Fly Buys shown reflect single points. † Price Promise Terms and Conditions are available online visit www.noelleeming.co.nz. Excludes Noel Leeming Clearance Centres. For more information contact us on 0800 44 44 88.