While the Aussies and the English battle it out down under for the famous old urn, the LVCC versus Potts rivalry is one age-old rivalry that continues strong in the Lowveld.

The 115-year-old fixture took place on December 6 and 7 and was once again a fun filled weekend. Potts won the golf on Friday. Rat races on Friday evening provided good entertainment for the adults and presents were delivered for the kids by Santa on Saturday.

The Potts Xl won the toss and opted to bat first. They started of steadily but lost wickets at regular intervals throughout the innings and were bowled out for 179. Dean Dyer top scored with 39 and Sean Bellis ended with figures of 3/28.

LVCC went in to bat and set a steady foundation upfront but Tristan Parnell (73 runs off 36) and Jared Bone (111 off 188) joined forces to really push the game forward. LVCC declared on 272/9 on Sunday morning. Potts Xl found themselves behind the game but fought back strongly, smashing 174/4 in just 20 overs before declaring. Shane Murphy top scored with 88 off 55 balls and Chad Fortman contributed a valuable 41 off 25 balls.

Potts needing to force a result to regain the trophy had set LVCC 82 in the 12 remaining overs. The carrot had been dangled and LVCC took on the challenge. The inform Bone and Parnell quickly went about there work and LVCC chased down the target with two overs to spare, retaining the coveted Potts Trophy. Bone received the player of the match award for his 110 in the first innings and 151 runs over the weekend.

This annual fixture is one of the oldest annual cricket matches still being played in South Africa and is steeped in history and tradition, with up to four generations (Creswells and Cruses) and three generations (Greeffs) of Lowvelders having played their part in this fixture’s extraordinary history.