Over 60s State Tournament Wrap Up
It is with immense pride that I can update you all with some very special news from our recent Over 60s Tournament played over the last 5 days in sun soaked Penrith.
All our three teams competed with skill and determination and won 10 of the 12 matches slated.
Our Port Jackson Red team beat all-comers in Division 1 and retained the trophy after a thoroughly professional performance with bat and ball at the Number 1 Oval, Howell, next to the Panther’s Stadium
Our White team, also in Division 1, came up against strong opposition and won two of their 4 games and fought well on every day
Our Blue team, in Division 3, thrashed every side they played and won their final yesterday against Newcastle Lord’s Taverners 2nd team at Cook Park
Our victorious Blue Team who won 4 out of 4 matches in Division 3 after their defeat of Newcastle at Cook Park on Thursday
The closing ceremony was hosted by none other than Rick McCosker, former NSW and Australian opening bat, who presented the trophies to Port Jackson Blue skipper, Douglas Latto and Port Jackson Red Captain, Simon Lyon.
For the record, in the 13 months of playing at this level, Port Jackson has won three trophies, plus the extra Trophy that our Over 50s Port Jackson Red team won in Port Macquarie in March of this year, under the excellent leadership of Jeremy Berenger.
We are beginning to build a dynasty that will ensure that other teams will try to knock us off at every opportunity but I think that in the spirit of these tournaments we know that our goal is to improve all the time, trying to entice younger and better players to eventually replace us. Who knows, in a few years we may be able to field a Port Jackson Red Over 70s side!
We wish our two Port Jackson Over 50s teams all the very best of luck in their own attempt to retain the Inaugural Trophy the weekend after next in Armidale.
Port Jackson Red team after defeating Mid North Coast in Division 1 Grand Final at Howell Oval on Thursday, defending the Trophy successfully for the second win in a row.
At this stage I wish to single out every member of the PJVCC Committee for their hard work in getting this Representative Club up from nothing in 18 months and thank them unreservedly. In particular, the amount of time that Peter Harrison has put aside from his permanently busy schedule of “Invoicing his clients” to help us to get where we are, is a remarkable effort and I would like all us to recognise his efforts. Thank you so much Peter. You are a constant in this whole enterprise.
Finally, I would like to thank all of you for entering into the spirit of this Club, which was initially quite challenging, and as we enter the next stage of our development, I hope we can build our fixture list and our membership so we can get more midweek cricket. An overseas Tour is on the table, possibly NZ or even Sri Lanka and Kerala (in a two country visit)
Lastly, thanks to all those who voted for Chas and myself for the role of VCNSW President; that was much appreciated. I am here to tell you that I am absolutely delighted that David head won the position and that we will back him 100% in our efforts to improve the opportunities to expand Veterans cricket for all age groups in the foreseeable future.
One challenge ahead…we need to find another Oval that can handle midweek cricket. ANYONE with ANY ideas PLEASE let us know.
Well done lads
Simon Lyon
Chairman, Port Jackson Veterans CC
24th October 2017
