Brigands v Wellington Wanderers Journal

Cricket doesn't get closer than this, and Simon Arnold was there with his camera for both innings

31 May 2026, Brigands 210-7 beat Wellington Wanderers 209 all out by 1 run

Broadhalfpenny Down, with flags flying, is ready to host a touring team from New Zealand

Northwood starts to accelerate. Blackburn survived an early edge but went on to hit a magnificent 25.

Brigands going for attacking shots are out! Abdeen, Turner and Peach all bowled, Wood caught at Long Off.

The elegance of Guy Ladenburg.

Brigands hit the ball all around the Down; Abdeen hits to Long On, Henderson with a one-handed sweep, Ladenburg with a scooped 6 into the car park, Peach stays low to cut the ball to the short boundary, and Brehaut straight drives to take the Brigands to 210 for 7 declared

The Kiwis got the ball to swing early on, but were then made to chase the ball in the field, watched on by the current Honorary Groundsperson, Mark Smith, and his illustrious predecessor, Harry Bates.

The Wellington Wanderers' innings begins with a run out on the first ball

Runs off the bat, byes, wickets, more runs as Wellington keep in touch with the required run rate

Getting closer; the run chase was helped by some tired Brigands fielding on the boundary

Requiring 2 runs to win it is a last-ball play and miss, and an easy stumping for Dave Turner, then handshakes all round for a great game of cricket

With huge appreciation to Simon Arnold. Please enquire if you would like Hi-Res, non-watermarked images - there were many more photographs taken than the ones published here.