Port Jackson travel to Over 60s in Tamworth October 2020

A sunny three days in Tamworth as guests of Tamworth Veterans Cricket on the Riverside Ovals was a thrilling experience after having waited for so long thanks to the Covid restrictions.

Greg Kellett and his team of helpers had worked so hard to get us all back playing again and teams from MNC, Coffs, New England, ACT/Monaro, Port Jackson, Quirindi and Tamworth with two teams slogged it out over the 3 days in what became known as a Festival of Cricket. Tamworth Council bought into the whole venture and all the wickets were surprisingly good since the winter sports had carried on way longer than normal.

Our first game was against New England on the Tamworth Riverside N0 1 oval which was hard and brown. John Bolland top scored with a hard hitting 35 after retirement, but good tight bowling by Adams, Turner and Trewin with Wasa (3-21) and Lyon (2-10) restricted NE to 106 off 32 overs. PJs got off to a decent start with Peter O'Reilly retiring on 35 and Mick Collins on 24 not out, the total was easily passed in the 35th over in glorious weather.

Our second game was against Quirindi on Riverside 2, which was much drier. We choose to bat and Lyon and O'Reilly both retired on 35 with other contributions making up a large total of 6-184 off our 40 overs.

Quirindi started slowly but Rob Haling with a hard hit 35 and Rick Sampson retiring on 35 the balance of the team couldn't keep up with the rate and we won by 36 runs at the close of their innings. Peter Harrison was our best bowler with 3-24 off 7 but we only managed to get 7 wickets.

Almost all the teams got to play on the celebrated No 1 Oval (Bicentennial Park) in town under floodlights which was a huge success. PJs played the last evening there against the home side which had a ringer (Pete Jensen from the Southern Highlands) who top scored and then spent the rest of the innings drinking G & Ts on the pavilion steps!

We started well with Joe Scarcella knocking Chris Crowell's leg pole out (zing bails no less!) and then Col Barton was adjudged LBW and we were right on top, but new keeper Bronte and Jensen righted the Tamworth ship and we were under pressure despite Joe's great spell and David's accurate stump to stump mediums. At the break Tamworth had a very good score and it was our turn to bat. Old stalwart Peter Harrison was out early, as was George Hodgson (first ball), and with a revised batting order due to injuries and a rotation policy, we steadily climbed to to required score. As the run rate climbed Paul Adams showed his teammates that it was easy enough, posting boundaries down the ground including a large 6 that went over the pickets. Raga had hit a fine 29 when he got bowled by Chris Crowell and Peter O'Reilly with an injured hamstring valiantly tried to keep the rate going, only to fall for 20 to Tom Kellett's moon balls. Joe Scarcella was a revelation with some fine hitting and scored 19 *. We finished agonisingly close needing six off the last ball on 6-170.

A terrific tournament full of camaraderie, finishing off with a few beers on the oil under lights and firndhsips reignited. Well done Tamworth Vets, Greg and crew. Thank you for a wonderful time in your lovely town and

our deepest thanks to Council.

Our thanks too to Douglas Latto for organising our team and accommodation. Bring on some more of these trips!

Simon Lyon Nov 20