Bleak day for Iona

It was a bleak day both on and off the field for the Iona over 60s cricket team as they travelled to take on a strong Geelong club.

While some local players made the long journey by road coach, a car load of players were hampered by a flat tyre as they made their way to the Geelong ground.

Injury was added to insult, with a player injured before the match and another two players picking up injuries during it.

The Geelong team batted first and powered to 3/251 from their allotted 40 overs.

Compulsory retirement was set at either 30 runs or 30 balls, and one Geelong batter took the latter option to blast 43 runs.

Stan Hellings, Bob Rogers and Peter Felstead each took a wicket in attempts to stem the flow.

Rob Thomas from Longwarry lined up for his first game and while the leg spinner produced good turn, he couldn’t find a wicket against the strong Geelong team.

Iona ensured the match would go the full 80 overs and finished with some pride, reaching 4/149 in the face of some fast bowling from Geelong’s 61-year-old opening bowler. The bowler also had too much speed for his wicket-keeper on occasion, with any miss scooting through to the boundary for four byes.

Jon Martindale (27) and Bob Rogers (21) each retired having faced 30 balls, while Russell Ferguson (17) and Bill Best (15) were also unbeaten in a partnership that realised 40 runs.

Felstead was awarded player of the match for the visitor.