There was no tragedy on this day for the local side.
The first cricket match at a new pitch ended with a hometown win for Stratford Festival.
The festival cricket team took on the Shaw Festival at the Butch Blake Memorial Cricket Ground in Lower Queen’s Park.
Upwards of 200 people watched the 51st annual match.
Team Captain Emilio Vieira said it was the stuff of dreams getting the cricket pitch installed, adding that it brought a tear to his eye.
“I was remarking with the Shaw captain Jeff Irving that yes it’s about the competition, the game, the comradere between the two sides, and it’s also an opportunity for us as two theatre festivals to spend a mutual day off together. You’d get to see on the sidelines old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years catch up.”
Vieira said he got to play with some of his heroes like Jeff Irving, Tom Marriot, Martin Happer, and Ryan DeSusa, describing them as extraordinary members of the arts community and humans.
While it rained in the beginning of the game, the pitch “played like a dream.”
Stratford Festival beat Shaw Festival for the third year running.
With the cricket pitch named after cricket lover and Festival actor Butch Blake, Vieira says it was an honour getting Butch’s son Andrew to the game.
“He was nervous to make a speech in honour of his father,” said Vieira.
“He wanted to keep it short so we can continue on with the game but we also wanted to take the time to do the memorializing and the recognition that his father so richly deserves.”
He added it was wonderful hearing Andrew’s perspective on past games and memories of his father, and it meant a lot to provide recognition for someone who was important to the community.
The team also unveiled a bench that had Butch’s name on it, with one of his hats and a picture of Butch so he could ‘watch the game’.
The team hopes to have one more game in September.
