It was a good innings all round for Gimmerburn Cricket Club stalwarts who turned out in force to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary at the weekend.
Club president Paul Dougherty said the celebrations, which included a get-together on Friday night, followed by a "very social" cricket match and barbecue on Saturday, were attended by about 100 people.
"We're a relatively young club but I guess what's notable about Gimmerburn is the number of guys in their 40s and 50s who are turning out every Saturday to play."
Summer weather on Saturday set the scene for a match between the president's XI and the Geoff Blakely invitational side.
Mr Blakely is a stalwart of the club and also played for Otago and the New Zealand "colts" cricket side in his younger days, Mr Dougherty said.
"Fittingly, after 33 overs, three overs for each bowler, the match ended up a tie."
Players had to retire at 30 and EJ Heckler, Sam Blakely, Shane O'Neill and Gerard Shea all reached that target. Ian Manson took three wickets.
"All in all it was a great afternoon, held on a perfect, hot day, just like in summer, " Mr Dougherty said.
Sam Blakely, the son of Geoff, is the third generation of his family to play for the club.
Geoff's father, the late Alan Blakely, was one of the club founders.
Many of the cricketers also play rugby for the Maniototo side, which was formed when Gimmerburn, Patearoa and Ranfurly rugby clubs combined in 1998. Mr Dougherty is also the president of the Maniototo rugby club.
