Ports defeat Highlanders on their damp return to Sydney

Tuesday February 5th2020, Jubilee Oval, Glebe

A much vaunted Southern Highlanders team travelled north to Port Jackson’s new venue, at the delightful Glebe ground called Jubilee Oval and despite the weekend’s rain and the fact that a wicket hadn’t been prepared and a ground sign suggested that the Oval was closed, play got under way at 1030am. With the sun out the damp deck would dry as the day wore so both captains agreed that the fairest way to play was to split the 40 overs into 2 blocks of 20 overs as is the custom at Chater Oval. The toss was duly lost by our visitors and they were obviously inserted.

Much to Rod van Beek’s dismay, it must be recorded, who middle his first ball from Paul Adams and was then well caught at slip by Peter O’Reilly to a ball that reared and hit the top of the bat. Gary Whitaker was next to go, swinging wildly at a well pitched ball to the same bowler and in came the Highlander’s captain, Peter Jensen who played cautiously as the wickets were falling to Paul Adams who took 3. Steve Lucas bowled well in tandem and then Wasa, Peter O’Reilly and Kanda bowled us to the 20 over break when we had them at 4-46.

The wicket was beginning to play better by this stage with Kanda and Rob Burns opening; our run rate was just edging past theirs as the 20 over stanza closed with Peter O’Reilly and Mick Collins not out.

A nice lunch was delivered in the clubrooms of the "leaning pavilion of Jubilee” and the game continued with Jensen resuming and a couple of new faces who came and went. Mark Preddy then took the game on but a series of wickets were claimed bringing Jensen back after his retirement of 30 but he failed to get enough strike and their innings closed at 114 all out when Lucas bowled loaned player Joe Scarcella middle peg.

O’Reilly made his 30 retirement score and Lyon came in to up the tempo against a variety of bowlers, best of whom was Marty Dubler with his airy spinners; victims were Jones who had bowled well to Jensen, and Lucas who ran past one of the slowest balls. Wasa was adjudged LBW to Predds, a ball which wouldn’t have hit a second leg stick, and finally Adams and Lyon (25 not) finished the match in 33 overs.

Mick Collins took on the speech role and Jensen replied giving the MOM to Paul Adams a well deserved recipient of a bottle of Red wine.

Everyone had an enjoyable game on a day which could easily have seen the visitors turning for home at 1030am but we managed a good game of cricket where everyone was involved and played well. As usual the spirit of camaraderie was present, with us lending SH a player (Joe who played in trainers and tee shirt but bowled really well)

Our deepest sympathies go out to Fred Latham who lost his mother during play and had to return south before the game started.

My immense thanks go out to David Wright who with his mother having medical issues in the John Hunter Hospital and having to commute to Newcastle frequently, managed to select a good PJs side to revenge our defeat at Maitland and Bland Oval.

Also thanks to Douglas Latto, for his organisational efforts with Sydney City Council and turning up injured after his new hip installation.

I would remind those that think these games just get put on that these gentlemen are invaluable to us and that anyone who wishes to help out in future to please raise their hands.

My congratulations extend to our Southern Highlands friends for making it a great game. Our players bowled well, batted well and fielded well, especially Steve Lucas whose whites were very muddy by the end of play.

This was a typical example of why we play this mid week cricket; I enjoyed it immensely and got to play with and against new faces, which was fun.