Goannas enjoy big win
Unfortunately the Mornington over 50s could not field a team on the weekend, so the first game of the new season for the Gippsland Goannas over 50 cricket team did not take place at Rosedale as planned. It is hoped to rearrange the game to a later date.
The Goannas over 60 team travelled to Koo wee rup to play the local veterans team, at the Koo wee rup Secondary College ground. The weather was cool and sunny and the ground was in excellent condition; dry, well-mown and with brand new changing rooms.
New captain Rino Metlikovec, upon winning the toss, decided to bat first and the Goannas made 229 for the loss of no wickets.
Leading the way was man of the match Ray Smith with 40 from 30 balls, Rob Taylor 27 from 40, Col Carmody 39 from 40, Metlikovec 26 from 30, Derek Morris 30 from 40, Murray Moore 14 from 20, Neil Meredith 14 from 14, Jim Armstrong 9 from 11, Gordon Cowling not out 6 and Barrie Nunn not out 4.
After the lunch break the chase was on, with five fours being smashed from the first four overs. However, the bowlers regained their composure, with Cowling breaking through first (6 overs 1/21) and Peter Anton (6.2 overs 4/19) leading the way.
Moore 4 overs 1/13, Smith 4 overs 1/3, Meredith 4 overs 2/7 and Morris 2 overs 1/10 were the other successful bowlers, and Nunn unfortunately had a missed stumping and an easy catch dropped from his opening over.
Koo wee rup completed their innings, all out for 98 runs in the 32nd over.
A lowlight of the day was the terrible catching for both teams, but Anton, Metlikovec and Morris did take good catches for the Goannas.
Goannas veteran Ian Southall, in a magnanimous gesture, played for Koo wee rup, but did not have a good day with five wicketless overs and a second ball duck, well caught behind by Metlikovec from Anton's out-swinger.
The Goannas over 70s team has a game this Tuesday at Maffra against the Yarra Valley over 70s, the over 60a team have a home game against the Australian Cricket Society next Sunday and the over 50s team will play an away game against Coburg on October 23.
Practice will continue at Glengarry nets on Wednesday from 4.30pm and any cricketers over the age of 49 who would prefer to play against their own age group should call secretary Ian Gibson on 0427 376 776.