Goannas miss revenge in over 60s

The Gippsland Goannas over-60 cricket team travelled to Mt Eliza to play the strong Mornington Peninsula side recently, aiming to extract revenge for the loss at Hastings last season.

There was a junior grade game taking place at the Baden Powell Reserve ground, but the toss took place and the Goannas decided to bat first.

Fred Debono and Ray Smith took the field a few minutes late as storm clouds were brewing. Debono fell to a smart slips catch in the fourth over and in-form batsman Col Carmody joined Smith, advancing the score to 1/25 after 10 overs. Smith was run out for 24 and skipper Kevin Lanigan came and went. The score was just 3/63 at the 20 over drinks break.

Carmody retired for 40, Neil Meredith, Murray Moore and Ian Gibson made brief cameos, and rain forced the players from the field at the end of the 29th over. The Goannas were 6/86 at this stage and the Mornington Peninsula bowling and fielding had been good.

After a short break Gordon Cowling joined Alex Dowsett, who had been watching the procession at the other end. Dowsett was then run out, enabling Peter Anton to enter the fray. This pair put on 26 valuable runs, before Anton was bowled for six.

Cowling (28) was then very smartly stumped by Phil Mayne, the Mornington Peninsula captain and wicket keeper, as was Peter Jones. and the innings finished in the 39th over at 126.

Another luscious afternoon tea was followed by the Goannas being implored to “let’s make this a good score”.

Cowling and Anton opened the bowling and one of the opening batsmen was induced to play a false stroke, as Dowsett took a good catch just behind square leg from Anton’s bowling.

Meredith came on and bowled very tightly, with his first four overs yielding just one run. He also was able to bowl the number three batsman with a well flighted ball.

Meanwhile Cowling had completed his eight over spell for 11 runs and the Mornington Peninsula side were struggling at 2 for 53 after 20 overs.

The game was in the balance at this stage, as the storm clouds appeared to be skirting around the ground.

Ian Rowland, who had opened the innings, retired for a well-made 42 and number four batsman John Marriott took the score to 2/102 after 30 overs.

Dowsett bowled four overs, and Barrie Nunn and Ray Smith combined for 14 overs of spin. Both were able to take a wicket with Cowling and Debono holding catches, but 126 proved to be too few runs as Mornington Peninsula passed the Goannas score in the 38th over. The final score was Mornington Peninsula 4/134, defeating the Goannas all out for 126.

Rowland with 42 runs and two wickets was awarded a fine bottle of Gippsland wine as the Mornington Peninsula best player and Cowling was adjudged to be the Goannas’ best.

There is now a short break in the cricket season, which will resume on January 13 with a home game against the Vic Country team.

The Goannas will next practice at Glengarry on the Wednesday prior to this game, and the venue will be advertised as soon as possible.