The 2022/23 CMCA 2-Day Championship was won by the BWCUCC Premiers for the first time since 1991/92. It was an emphatic campaign with 4 wins, 1 loss and 2 rain impacted draws. The team used 22 players in the campaign. With Tom Latham playing his first game from the club since 2014 a highlight, and the debuts of Nick Gibb, Tim Seeto, Richard Sillars, Ben Ward, Henry Christie & Rohan Thompson other notable moments.

Round 1 v East Christchurch Shirley:
Round 1 started in brisk conditions at Burnside Park against East Christchurch Shirley. New Zealand’s 30th Test Cricket Captain Tom Latham was included in the XI for Day 1. BWC won the toss and bowled ECSCC out for 38, Alex Tait & Hay claiming 4 wickets each. In response, BWC made 217/9DEC with MW Hay top scoring with 47, Latham 31 and MJ Hay 30 leading the way. ECSCC fought hard in their 2nd Innings making 254 off 115 overs, leaving 76 runs to win in 20 overs. This was chased in 12 overs for the loss of 2 wickets. A large 8 wicket win to start the summer. Ben Ward debuted in this game.

Round 2 v Riccarton:
Round 2 saw BWC hosted by Riccarton at the other end of Avonhead Road. Riccarton won the toss and posted 200 in their First Innings. Richard Sillars on debut took a wicket, while Matt Hay took 4 and Jackson Latham 3. In response BWC batted aggressively, scoring 371 all out in 51 overs. 60 off 24 balls for Carl Huyser, while Janet made 65, MW Hay 51, Thomas Zohrab 49 and MJ Hay 48. Riccarton recovered from 150/8 to make 252, setting BWC 84 to win. Alex Tait led the way taking 5/64. BWC chased this score 3 wickets down with Callum Hill’s 49* top scoring. Another 7-wicket bonus point win.

Round 3 v Heathcote:
Round 3 took the side on the road to the Heathcote Valley. Losing the toss in bowler friendly conditions, BWCUCC fought well to 233 all out, Captain Hay top scoring with 84, and supported well with Carl Huyser’s 42. Jackson Latham dominated with the ball bowling taking 5 wickets in restricting Heathcote to 169. Day 2 started with BWC well in front, but were bowled out for a meek 135, only Richard Sillars 39 offering any resistance. Heathcote required 204 to win and did this for the loss of only 5 wickets. A disappointing loss after a strong day 1.

Round 4 v Saint Albans:
Round 4 saw BWC host St Albans, in blustery conditions, which would be the last round before the white ball competitions began. BWC lost the toss and were inserted. Callum Hill at first drop anchored the innings with a classy 98. David Zohrab accelerated the back end of the innings with a skillful 59 enabling BWC to declare on 245. St Albans got off to a solid start being 50-1, with Hay & both Zohrab’s working hard into the breeze enabling Latham to attack. His 2nd spell down breeze ripped the St Albans middle to lower to pieces, with his 5 wickets taking them from 99-3 to 107-9 at stumps. Unfortunately, rain washed out Day 2 and no result was possible.

Round 5 v Old Boys Collegians:
Round 5 was the resumption of the competition at the conclusion of the white ball campaigns. Away at OBC, Hay lost the toss and BWCUCC was inserted in bowler friendly conditions and were reduced to 3/3 before a 90 run partnership between Ward (74) and Janett (47) took control of the innings. A brisk 38 from Huyser and a lower order collapse saw BWC bowled out for 189. In response BWC’s bowlers got stuck in and bowled OBC out for just 67 in 29 overs. Alex Tait 5/23 and Hay 3/15 the pick. Captain Hay enforced the follow on with 18 overs still left on day 1 and had OBC reduced to 32/5 at stumps. Rain washed out Day 2 and unfortunately no result was possible and BWC couldn’t capitalize on their strong position and take a strong lead on the ladder.

Round 6 v Sydenham:
Round 6 was a trip across town to Sydenham Park. On a very dry and used wicket, Hay lost another toss and BWC were inserted. Ward and both Thomas (43) & David Zohrab (19) absorbed early pressure and laid a good platform on a difficult wicket. The wicket was taking a lot of turn and this steady start enable Hay (32) and Janet (23) the ability to counterattack before an outstanding 67 off 42 on a turning wicket from Alex Tait got the total to 225. Like many times throughout the campaign the BWC bowlers turned the screws on Sydenham knocking them over for 70 and enforcing the follow on. Ethan O’Donoghue recorded his best Premier figures of 4/10, while Hay also took 4 in a spin domination. David Zohrab & Hay both picked up a wicket before stumps having Sydenham well under the pump going into Day 2. Sydenham fought hard in their 2nd innings, with it taking 86 overs for BWC to take the 10 wickets. Hay was the dominant force in favorable conditions taking career best 8/72 and match figures of 12/109. BWC chased the 55 required for the loss of 1 wicket and took a huge win and the competition lead going into the final round.

Round 7 V Lancaster Park:
The Seventh and final round was hosted at Burnside Park against Lancaster Park. A soft damp wicket greeted the sides, in which Hay lost another toss and was inserted. BWC were knocked over for a meek 99, a disappointing effort with all to play for in the competition. In response LP started positively and raced to 50/2 before debutant Rohan Thompson picked up 2 wickets in one over. Still, at the Tea break, LP were 80/5 trailing by only 18. A remarkable spell in tandem from Latham & Hay after the break bowled LP out for 95 and took 2 critical First Innings Points. Thomas Zohrab made a watchful 36, but BWC only made it through to 64/4 at stumps with the game majorly in the balance. Day 2 started poorly for the hosts losing Janett, Huyser, Latham and Gibb early and the lead only in the 80’s. A mammoth partnership from Alex Tait (45) & Tim Seeto (35*) for the 9th wicket took the total to 166, leaving LP 170 to win in 56 overs. LP got off to another strong start racing to 40/0 before Latham took 2 in 2 balls. Rohan Thompson then bowled a great spell, picking up 4 wickets threatening the stumps and getting the rewards. Adding to the tension was the score updates from Heathcote, where St Albans had secured victory meaning BWC needed an outright win to lift the trophy. LP were struggling at 101/7 but some rear-guard action took the visitors to 140/8 needing 30 with 10 overs left in the day. The skipper bought himself back on and on his 2nd ball took the 9th wicket. With 4.3 overs left in the day Latham picked up his 4th wicket, knocking over Lancaster Park’s number 11 and securing a historic 2-Day Championship for the Premier Side.
