In six years of B Grade cricket with the Rhymney Club, Peter Gibson never made a century, nor did he get a "five-for" but his annual pilgrimage to the bucolic cricket ground for the Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club's season opener produced a third win in the five kilometre Rhymney Reef Handicap.
"I've had more success with my running than I had with my cricket, but I have always loved the game and probably stopped playing too soon," said Gibson who first won at Rhymney in 2004 and again in 2013.
Gibson led early from home-ground favourite Andrew Reynolds who took control on the Moyston road and led to the finish without ever completely shaking off a determined "Gibbo".
Once handicaps were applied, Gibson emerged with a 0.26 minute margin over Reynolds with Julie Hertz a surprised third placegetter after finishing no closer than seventh in her previous thirteen starts.
Reynolds, who overlooks the Rhymney Cricket Ground from his home on the hill, registered his third second placing in the race, having won before in 2017.
On the dirt road leaving the cricket ground, he exercised local knowledge by crossing to firmer footing on the right hand side and avoiding the roof-like corrugations. The smart runners followed him but most stayed on the left where the going was like quicksand.
The club welcomed new runners Emma Carr and Kieran Blizzard.
The club travels to Stawell this Sunday for the five-kilometre handicap at the Three Jacks Reserve from 9.15am.
