A Blockbuster Year for our PJ 50s!

Over 55s State Tournament October 2023 - Division 1 Champs

2023-24 was a blockbuster year for Port Jackson in the 50’s and 55’s segments. There was heaps of representative cricket with some adjustments in timetables caused by a top-down rethink by Vets Cricket Australia and Vets Cricket NSW. The Port Jackson Vets database for players 49-59 expanded strongly with 20+ debutants this year in State Tournaments. This will give Port Jackson an embarrassment of riches at the next Over 55’s state-wide tournament and some good spill over into the Over 60’s also.

Over 55s State Tournament October 2023 - Division 2 Champs (skipper Thomas Reaney)

Twenty-six (26) different Sydney basin cricket clubs provided players for Port Jackson Vets in the Over 50’s and 55’s space this season. This has broadened our depth and talent pool without a doubt. Most good judges are saying the standard of Vets Cricket has been raised at State Tournaments this season and of course at the various Nationals tourneys that have been held over the year.

National Tournaments in the 2023-24 Period

Port Jackson members played a large part in representation for New South Wales Vets in National Tournaments this year across Over 50’s and Over 55’s. The Over 55’s Tournament in Christchurch was really the bellwether for future tournaments and was an outstanding tournament held in a great location. The following Port Jackson gentlemen represented NSW over in NZ, many making outstanding contributions towards very competitive sides. The NSW 2’s and NSW 3’s played out an epic Division Two Final with several PJ 55’s pitted viciously(!!) against each other at beautiful Darfield, outside of Christchurch on the gorgeous Canterbury Plains. Involved in that match names such as David Craig, Paul Frost, Steve Rose, Matt Hardman, Paul James, Nick Garling & Ric Howard. Also involved over there in the NSW Blues were Al Willmore, Rowan Harry, Adrian Schwager and El Capitano Michael Hall. In the Over 50’s segment, which included two NZ sides, PJ also had a strong showing in NSW selections including, Marlon Meurling, Neil Barnett, Dave Newham, Matt Turner, Jason Wilton playing NSW Waratahs and Simon Waddington, Tony Clark, Simon Neich, Phil Melville and Stephen Wark representing in the NSW Blues.

Over 50s State Tournament - Division 3 Champs (skipper Thomas Reaney)

Closer to home, this time in 2024, in the National Over 50’s held in Melbourne; Port Jackson again represented NSW strongly. PJ Vets involved included many of the above players and an expanded number of sides, also included Craig McKenzie, Michael Toal, Peter Thomas, Neil McLeod, Lucan Parsons, Ash Perrott, and former PJ coastal turncoat Garry Rowe, Andrew Varasdi, Rod Ribet, Trev Whittall, Mick Hungerford and Mitch Sturt. There is little doubt performances by Port Jacko players in state tournaments and in Club games is enhancing their prospects for NSW Vets and beyond that in the Australian side.