Over 60s 2018 State Tournament Wrap Up

Unlike our story from last year, this was not a tournament ending in celebrations! With injuries, lent players and a good dose of bad luck, the similarity between this year and last year are like chalk and cheese.

Losing to Southern Highlands with only 10 men on the field, with Jim Robson breaking another finger, exactly 12 months apart from his previous injury with a crucial six with only 2 overs to go, meant that our tournament was effectively over.

You could sense that the balloon had burst when we played Hunter at Coronation Oval the next day; a damp wicket was a treat compared to syntho from the previous match, and thanks to a loaned player from Hunter (thanks to Heady), we posted a decent score and were in trouble until Cam McDonald, a former PJ’s founder member, slowed the run rate down so much that their total target was outside their capability.

So we won one, but with some help from the opposition and we were really grateful to them for the loan of player.

Finals day was to be played on syntho again near Raymond Terrace, a nice little ground and everyone keen to play T20. We played a proper game and were loaned a player again who stared with the bat on his favourite surface. Mid North Coast captained by Merv Bourke and well supported by Barry Everingham took to our bowling and a crucial 6 off Wasa a was a crucial moment with a win in sight.

Their tail wagged in the last over and we had lost again. The spirit was well depicted by the sagging shoulders but the game had been played in good spirit by a tired set of 60 year olds who had played 3 days in a row.

Some changes due for next year; not having a well equipped side, a proper keeper and playing on syntho, all took their toll. All lessons well learnt.

Resigned to an uphill battle from the washout on Day 1, I reflected that we had done very well to win two years in a row and it was someone else’s turn. Delighted that Douglas’ team had again won back to back and the thrill of those who had played and won was suitable joy for me.